Kenya: MPs Clash Over Bill On Money Laundering

Members of Parliament expressed concerns over a proposed money laundering Bill before the House.

They said the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-money Laundering Bill contained offensive clauses that cloaked the controversial Anti-terrorism Bill, which was rejected by the House.


The MPs made no secret of their intentions to maul the Bill at the committee stage to expunge offensive provisions that would interfere with the right to private property.

They argued it was not home grown and claimed it was being railroaded by donors.

Nonetheless, it sailed through the second reading and was referred to the Finance and Trade committee for amendments.

In anticipation of the hostile reception, Finance minister Amos Kimunya assured members that the Finance committee would comb the Bill and address their concerns.

Kimunya, aware that the Bill had made two false starts previously, pleaded with members: "Please let us not throw away the baby together with the bath water."

MPs concluded debate on the Bill on Thursday, and referred it to the departmental committee on Finance and Trade. The MPs agreed with the minister that the Bill was long overdue, but frowned upon its contents.

Earlier during debate, the Government Bill received opposition even from its own. Three assistant ministers, Margaret Wanjiru (Housing), Ramadhan Kajembe (Environment) and Aden Duale (Livestock) agreed with three MPs that the proposal had serious shortcomings that could infringe on the rights of Kenyans.

MPs Chris Okemo (Nambale, ODM), Mohammed Abdikadir (Mandera Central, Safina) and Eugene Wamalwa supported it, but called for amendments to expunge offending provisions.

Special Programmes minister Naomi Shabaan, who seconded the Bill, and Johnstone Muthama (Kangundo, ODM-Kenya) threw their weight behind the proposed legislation, telling the members it was well-intentioned.

Okemo said while the Bill sought to rein in a crime that was the preserve of the 'big boys', Parliament must tighten controls to ensure that it does not open new avenues for corruption.

He said the Bill should be tailor-made to suit Kenya's situation and not passed merely to please donors.

Kimunya, however, defended it, saying the Government had not been arm-twisted by donors. "The bill is in the best interest of the country," he said.

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