A agreement paving the way for the return of more than £3 million of stolen assets to the people of Kenya was signed on 3 March between the governments of Jersey and Kenya.
The agreement is the latest step taken by both governments to secure the return of the funds, which were confiscated by the Royal Court of Jersey in February 2016 after defendant company Windward Trading pleaded guilty to four counts of laundering the proceeds of corruption.
The corrupt activities took place in Kenya, where Windward's beneficial owner, Samuel Gichuru, is resident. During the period on the indictment, Gichuru was also the Chief Executive of Kenya Power and Lighting Company, the Kenyan government's electricity utility company.
In June 2011, the Attorney General of Jersey requested the extradition of Samuel Gichuru and Chrysanthus Okemo, former Kenyan Energy Minister, from Kenya to face money laundering charges in Jersey in connection with Windward's activities. The extradition proceedings are ongoing.
Signing on behalf of the Government of Kenya, Dr Kamau Thugge, Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, said: "We are delighted to reach agreement with the Government of Jersey on this important matter. We welcome the positive cooperation between Kenya and Jersey and look forward to an enhanced partnership in future."
Chief Minister of Jersey Senator Ian Gorst commented: "The signing of this agreement conveys a powerful message that both Jersey and Kenya are committed to combatting issues of historic corruption and financial crime."
Pictured: Senator Ian Gorst and Dr Kamau Thugge