Politics and policy
A Dahabshiil's branch in Nairobi. The money transfer firm resumed
operations after CBK lifted its suspension. PHOTO | JENNIFER MUIRURI
By KIARIE NJOROGE
In Summary
- Dahabshiil Kenya on Monday said the Central Bank of Kenya had allowed it to resume operations.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has started returning
licences to money transfer firms that were banned after the deadly
attack on Garissa University in April and whose names were on a list of
85 entities with alleged links to Somalia’s Al Shabaab.
Dahabshiil Kenya on Monday said the Central Bank of Kenya had allowed it to resume operations.
The Business Daily could not by the time of going to Press confirm the fate of 12 other firms whose permits had been suspended.
The reinstatement of the licence comes a week after
President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered CBK to lift the ban on the 13 firms.
Mr Kenyatta last week directed that the CBK issue comprehensive
regulations to guide the operation of money transfer services, upon
which their suspension should be lifted.
The move to ban the 13 money remittance companies
followed public pressure on the government for action after a deadly
terror attack by the militants on the university where 148 people were
killed.
The group has killed more than 400 people in Kenya in the last two years.
Dahabshiil said a review of operations by the CBK
had found that the company observes strict anti-money laundering and
counter-terrorism financing practices.
Humanitarian and rights groups had in April decried
the ban on the services, saying it would have a devastating impact on
Kenya’s Somali community, numbering just over one million people, as it
is heavily reliant on cash from workers abroad.
“Our services provide a vital lifeline for people
to feed, educate and otherwise help their families and loved ones, and
to run businesses, thus creating jobs,” Abdirashid Duale, the company’s
chief executive said.
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