Related documents
LAWS OF KENYA
PROCEEDS OF CRIME AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING ACT
CAP. 59A
- Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXII—No. 5 on 15 January 2010
- Assented to on 31 December 2009
- Commenced on 28 June 2010 by Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act Commencement
- [Amended by Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act Commencement (Legal Notice 89 of 2010) on 11 June 2010]
- [Amended by Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2012 (Act No. 51 of 2012) on 4 January 2013]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2015 (Act No. 14 of 2015) on 1 October 2015]
- [Amended by Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. 3 of 2017) on 24 March 2017]
- [Amended by Companies and Insolvency Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act, 2015 (Act No. 19 of 2015) on 3 July 2017]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2017 (Act No. 15 of 2017) on 1 January 2018]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2018 (Act No. 10 of 2018) on 1 July 2018]
- [Amended by Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2018 (Act No. 18 of 2018) on 18 January 2019]
- [Amended by Data Protection Act (Cap. 411C) on 25 November 2019]
- [Amended by Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2021 (Act No. 16 of 2021) on 17 January 2022]
- [Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]
Part I – PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.2. Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—"account" includes any facility or arrangement by which a reporting institution does any one or more of the following—Part II – MONEY LAUNDERING AND RELATED OFFENCES
3. Money laundering
A person who knows or who ought reasonably to have known that property is or forms part of the proceeds of crime and—4. Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of crime
A person who—5. Failure to report suspicion regarding proceeds of crime
A person who wilfully fails to comply with an obligation contemplated in section 44 (2) commits an offence.6. Defence
If a person is charged with committing an offence under section 3, 4 or 5, that person may raise as a defence the fact that he had reported a suspicion under the terms and conditions set forth in section 44 or, if the person is an employee of a reporting institution, that he has reported information pursuant to section 47(a).7. Financial promotion of an offence
A person who, knowingly transports, transmits, transfers or receives or attempts to transport, transmit, transfer or receive a monetary instrument or anything of value to another person, with intent to commit an offence, that person commits an offence.8. Tipping off
9. Misrepresentation
A person who knowingly makes a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation, or makes, or provides, any false document, knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, to a reporting institution, or to a supervisory body or to the Centre, commits an offence.10. Malicious Reporting
Any person who wilfully gives any information to the Centre or an authorised officer knowing such information to be false commits an offence.11. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act
12. Conveyance of monetary instruments to or from Kenya
13. Misuse of information
14. Failure to comply with order of court
A person who intentionally refuses or fails to comply with an order of a court made under this Act, commits an offence.15. Hindering a person in performance of functions under this Act
A person who hinders a receiver, a police officer or any other person in the exercise, performance or carrying out of their powers, functions or duties under this Act, commits an offence.16. Penalties
17. Secrecy obligations overridden
18. Client advocate relationship
19. Immunity where actions are exercised in good faith
A suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall not lie against any reporting institution or Government entity, or any officer, partner or employee thereof, or any other person in respect of anything done by or on behalf of that person with due diligence and in good faith, in the exercise of any power or the performance of any function or the exercise of any obligation under this Act.20. Protection of information and informers
Part III – FINANCIAL REPORTING CENTRE
21. Establishment of a Financial Reporting Centre
There is established a centre to be known as the Financial Reporting Centre, (hereinafter referred to as the "Centre") which shall be a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall be capable, in its corporate name, of—22. Headquarters
The headquarters of the Centre shall be in Nairobi.23. Objectives of the Centre
24. Functions and powers of the Centre
The Centre—24A. Instructions or directions
24B. Powers of the Centre to impose civil penalties for non-compliance
24C. Disclosure in writing
25. Appointment of Director-General
26. Resignation of Director-General
27. Removal from office
28. Responsibilities of the Director-General
29. Delegation by the Director-General
30. [Repealed by Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 8.]
31. Appointment of staff
32. Oath of confidentiality
The Director-General and staff of the Centre shall—33. Inspection
34. Obligation to respond to the inspection reports
The Director-General may by notice in writing and after giving the reporting institution a reasonable opportunity of being heard, require the reporting institution to comply by the date or within the period as may be specified therein, with such directions as are necessary in connection with any matter arising out of a report made under section 33.[Act No. 3 of 2017, s. 14]35. Obligation of persons to provide information to the inspectors
36. Obligation of a supervisory body and its staff
36A. Responsibility for supervision of Reporting Institutions
37. The Centre’s power to obtain a search warrant
38. Property tracking and monitoring orders
For the purpose of determining whether any property belongs to or is in the possession or under the control of any person, the Centre, may upon application to the High Court, obtain an order—39. Orders to enforce compliance with obligations under this Act
40. Constitution of funds
41. Financial year
The financial year of the Centre shall be a period of twelve months ending on the thirtieth June of each year.42. Annual estimates
43. Books of accounts, records, audit and reports
Part IV – ANTI–MONEY LAUNDERING OBLIGATIONS OF A REPORTING INSTITUTION
44. Monitoring and Report by institutions
44A. Intervention by Centre
45. Obligation to verify customer identity
45A. Higher risk countries
46. Obligation to establish and maintain customer records
47. Obligation to establish and maintain internal reporting procedures
A reporting institution shall establish and maintain internal controls and internal reporting procedures to—47A. Obligation to register with the Centre
48. Application of reporting obligations
The obligations under this Part shall apply to—Part V – THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING ADVISORY BOARD
49. The Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board
50. Functions of the Board
51. Conduct of business of the Board
The business and affairs of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Fifth Schedule but subject thereto, the Board may regulate its own procedure.Part VI – THE ASSETS RECOVERY AGENCY
52. Definitions applicable to Parts VI-XII
53. The Agency and its Director
53A. Staff of the Agency
54. Functions and powers of the Agency
54A. Funds of the Agency
54B. Bank accounts
The Agency shall open and maintain such bank accounts as are necessary for the exercise of the functions of the Agency.[Act No. 3 of 2017, s. 22]54C. Estimates of expenditure
54D. Accounts and audit
54E. Annual reports
54F. The common seal of the Agency
55. Co-operation with the Agency
A person who or a body which has functions relating to investigation or prosecution of offences under this Act and the Agency shall co-operate in the exercise of their powers or the performance of their functions under this Act.55A. Asset Recovery Advisory Board
55B. Functions of the Advisory Board
55C. Conduct of business of the Advisory Board
The business and affairs of the Advisory Board shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Fifth Schedule but subject thereto, the Advisory Board may regulate its own procedure.[Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 20.]55D. Advisory Board may co-opt members
55E. Allowances of the members of the Advisory Board
The members of the Advisory Board shall be paid such allowances as the Cabinet Secretary may determine on the advice of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.[Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 20.]55F. Agency to facilitate the Advisory Board
The Agency shall provide the Advisory Board and any of its committees with such facilities and resources as may be required for the effective discharge of the functions of the Board or any of its committees.[Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 20.]55G. Cabinet Secretary to make Regulations
Part VII – CRIMINAL FORFEITURE
Proceeds of Crime
56. Nature of proceedings
57. Realizable property
58. Value of property
59. Gifts
60. Conclusion of proceedings against defendant
For the purposes of this Part, proceedings against a defendant shall be concluded when—(a)the defendant is acquitted or found not guilty of an offence;(b)subject to section 61(2), the court convicting the defendant of an offence, sentences the defendant without making a confiscation order against him;(c)the conviction in respect of an offence is set aside on review or appeal; or(d)the defendant satisfies the confiscation order made against him.Confiscation Orders
61. Confiscation orders
62. Value of proceeds of crime
63. Amount which might be realized
64. Statements relating to proceeds of crime
65. Evidence relating to proceeds of crime
66. Effect of confiscation orders
Where a court makes a confiscation order, the order shall have the effect of a civil judgment.67. Procedure where person absconds or dies
68. Restraint orders
69. Cases in which restraint order may be made
70. Order to remain in force pending appeal
A restraint order and an order authorising the seizure of the property concerned or other ancillary order which is in force at the time of any decision by the court in relation to the making of a confiscation order, shall remain in force pending the outcome of any appeal against the decision concerned.71. Seizure of property subject to restraint order
72. Appointment of manager in respect of property subject to restraint order
73. Orders in respect of immovable property subject to restraint order
74. Variation and rescission of certain orders suspended by appeal
The lodging of an appeal against a decision to vary or rescind any order referred to in sections 68(10), 72(3) and 73(3) shall act as a stay of such a variation or rescission pending the determination of the appeal.75. Realization of property
76. Application of certain sums of money
77. Exercise of powers by court and receiver
78. Variation of confiscation orders
79. Effect of bankruptcy on realizable property
80. Effect of winding-up of companies or other legal entities on realizable property
Part VIII – CIVIL FORFEITURE
Recovery and Preservation of Property
81. Nature of proceedings
82. Preservation orders
83. Notice of preservation orders
84. Duration of preservation orders
A preservation order shall expire ninety days after the date on which notice of the making of the order is published in the Gazette, unless—85. Seizure of property subject to preservation orders
86. Appointment of manager in respect of property subject to preservation orders
87. Orders in respect of immovable property subject to preservation order
88. Provision for expenses
89. Variation and rescission of orders
90. Application for forfeiture order
91. Late service of notice
92. Making of forfeiture order
93. Protection of third parties
94. Exclusion of interests in property
95. Forfeiture order by default
96. Exclusion of interests in forfeited property
97. Appeal against forfeiture order
Any preservation order and any order authorizing the seizure of the property concerned or other ancillary order which is in force at the time of any decision regarding the making of a forfeiture order under section 92(1) shall remain in force pending the outcome of any appeal against the decision concerned.98. Effect of forfeiture order
99. Fulfilment of forfeiture order
Part IX – GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO PRESERVATION AND FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY
100. Offence may form the basis of multiple orders
The fact that a preservation order or a forfeiture order has been made on the basis of an offence in which a specific person has been involved shall not prevent the making of another or other preservation orders or forfeiture orders on the basis of the same offence.101. Application of part to deceased estates
102. Effect of death of joint owner of preserved property
Part X – PRODUCTION ORDERS AND OTHER INFORMATION GATHERING POWERS
103. Production orders
104. Evidential value of information
105. Failure to comply with a production order
106. Power to search for and seize documents relevant to locating property
107. Search warrant for location of documents relevant to locating property
108. Searches conducted without written reasons
An officer or any authority exercising powers under this Act or Regulations made thereunder who, without reasons recorded in writing—Part XI – CRIMINAL ASSETS RECOVERY FUND
109. Establishment of Criminal Assets Recovery Fund
There is established a fund to be known as the Criminal Assets Recovery Fund.110. Finances of the Fund
The Fund shall consist of—111. Administration of the Fund
The Fund shall be administered by the Agency.112. Functions of the Agency under this Part
In the administration of the Fund, the following shall apply—113. Other matters to be prescribed
Part XII – INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
114. Principles of mutuality
For the purposes of this Part, the principles of mutuality and reciprocity shall at all times be recognised.115. Request made by Kenya to other countries
116. Evidence, etc., obtained from another country
Evidence, documents or articles obtained pursuant to a request made under section 115 shall—117. Transfer to Kenya of a person to assist in an investigation or proceedings
118. Requests to Kenya for evidence
119. Requests to Kenya for search warrants
120. Requests to Kenya for the enforcement of certain orders
Part XIII – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
121. Access to information
122. Investigations
Whenever the Attorney-General has reason to believe that any person may be in possession of information relevant to the commission or intended commission of an alleged offence in terms of this Act, or any person or enterprise may be in possession, custody or control of any documentary material relevant to such alleged offence, the Attorney-General may, prior to the institution of any civil or criminal proceeding, under written authority direct a specific investigation.123. Sharing of information
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Cap. 470), and with regard to any other secrecy provision in any other Act, whenever any investigation is instituted in terms of this Act, including an investigation into any other offence, and an investigation into the property, financial activities, affairs or business of any person, the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority or any official designated by that person for this purpose, shall be notified of such investigation with a view to mutual cooperation and the sharing of information.124. Hearings of court to be open to public
125. Monitoring orders
126. Monitoring orders not to be disclosed
127. Conduct of person outside Kenya
The conduct of a person that takes place outside Kenya constitutes an offence under this Act if the conduct would constitute an offence against a provision of any law in Kenya if it occurred in Kenya.128. Admissibility of Electronic Evidence
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Evidence Act (Cap. 80), any court hearing any matter in relation to this Act may admit electronic evidence.129. Admissibility of statements and documents of persons who are dead or cannot be traced, etc
Notwithstanding any written law to the contrary, in any proceedings against any person for an offence under this Act—130. Preservation of secrecy
130A. Rights and fundamental freedoms
All persons subject to this Act shall enjoy all rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Constitution unless limited to the extent specified in Article 24 of the Constitution, this Act or any other Act.[Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 23.]130B. Limitation of right to privacy
130C. Transitional provision
The Agency Director shall serve for the remaining period of the contract or the period stipulated in section 53(2A), whichever is longer.[Act No. 16 of 2021, s. 23.]131. Supersession
Where there is a conflict between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of any written law with regard to any matter, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.132. Amendment of Schedules
133. [Spent]
134. Regulations
History of this document
15 September 2023 amendment not yet applied
31 December 2022 this version
Revised by
24th Annual Supplement
17 January 2022
25 November 2019
Amended by
Data Protection Act
Read this version
18 January 2019
01 July 2018
Amended by
Finance Act, 2018
Read this version
01 January 2018
Amended by
Finance Act, 2017
Read this version
03 July 2017
24 March 2017
01 October 2015
Amended by
Finance Act, 2015
Read this version
04 January 2013
28 June 2010
11 June 2010
15 January 2010
31 December 2009
Assented to
Cited documents 9
Act 9
1. | Civil Procedure Act | 19340 citations |
2. | Evidence Act | 9469 citations |
3. | Criminal Procedure Code | 5087 citations |
4. | Kenya Revenue Authority Act | 1095 citations |
5. | Income Tax Act | 725 citations |
6. | Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act | 584 citations |
7. | Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act | 571 citations |
8. | Public Audit Act | 114 citations |
9. | Government Financial Management Act | 42 citations |
Documents citing this one 315
Judgment 168
Gazette 104
Act 16
1. | Criminal Procedure Code | 5087 citations |
2. | Tax Procedures Act | 1239 citations |
3. | Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act | 584 citations |
4. | Banking Act | 347 citations |
5. | Community Service Orders Act | 197 citations |
6. | State Corporations Act | 153 citations |
7. | Prevention of Terrorism Act | 115 citations |
8. | Central Bank of Kenya Act | 60 citations |
9. | Capital Markets Act | 59 citations |
10. | Law Society of Kenya Act | 57 citations |
Legal Notice 11
Bill 10
Bench Bulletin 6
1. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 41 | |
2. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 42 | |
3. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 43 | |
4. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 44 | |
5. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 49 | |
6. | Bench Bulletin - Issue 50 |
Subsidiary legislation
Title
|
Date
|
|
---|---|---|
The Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, 2023 | Legal Notice 153 of 2023 | 17 November 2023 |
The Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Criminal Assets Recovery Fund) Regulations, 2023 | Legal Notice 151 of 2023 | 10 November 2023 |
The Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations | Legal Notice 59 of 2013 | 31 December 2022 |