By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 17, 2026 - Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo has made Kenya’s case to host the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Regional Training Academy, saying the country has made “significant strides” in tightening its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing framework.
Dr. Kiptoo met an ESAAMLG Secretariat team in Nairobi during their on-site verification mission to assess Kenya’s bid to host the academy.
“Kenya has made significant strides in strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing framework through legal, regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at safeguarding the integrity of our financial system,” Kiptoo said.
He urged the delegation to consider Kenya’s “strong credentials as a host nation,” noting that Nairobi is a regional hub and home to numerous international and intergovernmental institutions.
“Kenya stands ready to support the successful establishment and operation of the Academy, and we look forward to welcoming this important institution to Nairobi,” he said.
The bid comes as Kenya intensified efforts to combat illicit financial flows and get off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Kenya was placed on the grey list in February 2024 over strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime.
In response, government has fast-tracked legal reforms, including amendments to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and expanded the mandate of the Financial Reporting Centre.
Operationally, agencies have stepped up training and coordination. In recent months, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has conducted specialized training for officers on financial investigations, asset tracing, and money laundering typologies. In May 2026, DCI’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit partnered with the US Secret Service and the UK’s National Crime Agency to train over 80 detectives on cryptocurrency-related crimes, trade-based money laundering, and prosecution of complex financial cases.
The Asset Recovery Agency, Central Bank of Kenya, and Kenya Revenue Authority have also increased joint operations targeting suspicious transactions, real estate, and shell companies.
Hosting the ESAAMLG Regional Training Academy would cement Nairobi’s role as a financial crime enforcement hub for Eastern and Southern Africa. The academy is expected to standardize training, research, and technical assistance for the region’s 20 member states.
The ESAAMLG Secretariat is expected to complete its assessment and make a recommendation to the Council of Ministers later this year.
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