The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst, held an official meeting with Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya, in London on Friday.
The Chief Minister and President discussed ways to enhance the positive relationship between Jersey and Kenya. This included how to progress the repatriation of £3 million of assets confiscated by the Royal Court of Jersey in February 2016, when Windward Trading pleaded guilty to four counts of laundering the proceeds of corruption.
The landmark prosecution related to corrupt activities in Kenya, home to Windward’s beneficial owner Samuel Gichuru, formerly Chief Executive of the Kenyan electricity utility company.
In March, during his first official visit to Kenya, Senator Gorst signed a preliminary asset-sharing agreement with the Principal Secretary for the Kenyan National Treasury, paving the way for the return of the confiscated assets to Kenya.
The latest meeting with President Kenyatta is an important step towards completing a full asset recovery agreement, which will operate under a proposed international Framework for the Return of Assets from Crime and Corruption in Kenya (FRACCK).
The Chief Minister and President Kenyatta also discussed wider cooperation, including a double taxation agreement and a programme of cooperation to combat financial crime.
The Chief Minister commented: “This is an important signal of the growing partnership between Kenya and Jersey. The President emphasised the positive cooperation with Jersey in tackling corruption. I believe it is in the interests of both Jersey and Kenya to continue these endeavours.
"The Government of Jersey is committed to furthering our relationships in Africa and to developing strong, mutually beneficial links.”