Those affected included market leader Dahabshiil, which is used by 95 percent of international agencies and charities in Somalia. Photo/ FILE
UPDATE: The 13 Money Remittance Providers have been cleared of the allegations and are now legitimately operating under CBK regulations.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 18 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that the suspension of licenses for 13 registered Money Remittance Providers be lifted upon compliance with Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) regulations.
In a statement, the Head of State pointed out that his decision comes following a briefing in the on-going investigations on the financing of terrorism.
President Kenyatta directed the CBK to immediately issue comprehensive regulations to guide the operation of the Hawalas.
“I have noted the proposal to lift the suspension of licenses for 13 registered Money Remittance Providers. In the light of this, I direct the Central Bank of Kenya to immediately issue comprehensive regulations that guide the operation of MRPs, upon which their suspension would be lifted,” he stated.
The government suspended the licenses of the 13 remittance firms in the wake of an attack that killed over 140 Garissa University College students.
They were suspected of being sympathisers of the Al-Shabaab terror group.
Those affected included market leader Dahabshiil, which is used by 95 percent of international agencies and charities in Somalia, as well as smaller players like Kendy, UAE Exchange, Amal, Iftin, Kaah Express and Amana.
Others include Juba Express, Tawakal, Bakaal, Hodan, Continental and Flex.
The list includes Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri), a Nairobi-based forex bureau and at least four minor bus companies.
Following the attack, five terror suspects have been arraigned in court over the incident.
The five Mohammed Adan Surow, Osman Abdi Dakane, Mohammed Abdi Abikar and Hassan Aden Hassan and Sahal Diriye Hussein did not however plead to charges of supplying guns to the four slain attackers after the State asked for 30 more days to conclude investigations.
All the five are Kenyans who were charged alongside a Tanzanian Rashid Charles Mberekesho.
The prosecutor told the court that the six suspects were being investigated following reports that they delivered guns to the slain terrorists with whom they constantly communicated during the attack.
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