British-Kenyan businessman Kamlesh Pattni was on Monday dealt a blow after the United Kingdom imposed financial sanctions on him over involvement in corruption.
Through the International Corruption Unit (ICU), an agency that investigates international bribery, and corruption, UK sanctioned Pattni for using bribes to export gold from South Africa.
“Today’s sanctions consist of three individuals designated under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021. Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman who has used bribery to export gold from southern Africa as a means of laundering dirty money,” read the statement in part.
Pattni was sanctioned alongside his wife and brother-in-law, whom the ICU stated have a long history of involvement in his network of companies.
British officials said they would freeze assets belonging to Pattni and other associates.
In a statement, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the sanctions aimed to disrupt the business dealings of Pattni, whom it accused of smuggling illegal gold from South Africa.
The businessman has been associated with various scandals in the past, including the Goldenberg scandal which rocked the country during the 1990s.
It involved the fraudulent export of gold and other commodities, leading to significant financial losses for the Kenyan government.
Pattni has been implicated in using bribery and corrupt practices to facilitate the export of gold from southern Africa, which has raised concerns about money laundering activities linked to his operations.
The tycoon was sanctioned under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021, which allows the UK government to impose asset freezes and travel bans on individuals involved in serious corruption and related offences.
The sanctions against Pattni are part of broader efforts by the UK authorities to combat international bribery and corruption that have implications for both national and international security.
The British Graft body noted Pattni’s activities not only undermine economic stability but also contribute to organized crime networks that exploit natural resources in conflict zones. By Joe Macharia, Kenyans.co.ke
The government of Russia has announced that Kenyans can now visit the country with a single electronic visa
In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Kenya said Kenya, Eswatini and Zimbabwe have joined the list of countries that can use single electronic visas to visit Moscow.
"The government of Russia has expanded the list of countries whose citizens can visit the Russian Federation with a single electronic visa," the Russian Embassy said in a statement on X.
"The list now includes the following African countries: Kenya, Eswatini and Zimbabwe."
The single electronic visa gives the right to a single entry to Russia and stay on a guest or business visit as a tourist.
It also grants the privilege to travellers visiting to participate in scientific, cultural socio-political, economic and sporting events and to carry out relevant connections and contacts.
The validity period of a single electronic visa is 60 days from the date of its registration with the permitted period of stay of a foreign citizen in the Russian Federation no more than 16 days from the date of entry into the territory.
Unified electronic visas are valid for entry and exit from the Russian Federation by air, road, rail and water transport.
It also grants entry and exit without the use of vehicles, only through checkpoints across the state border of the Russian Federation, the list of which was approved by order of the Government of the Russian Federation.
An electronic visa is issued on the basis of an application from a foreign citizen, filled out electronically on the specialised website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru or through a mobile application posted for download on the specified website
A single electronic visa is paid for and done on the specialised website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The application for a single electronic visa must be submitted not later than four calendar days before the expected date of entry into the Russian Federation.
A digital photograph of the person and a scan of the page with the data of the foreign citizen’s machine-readable passport is attached to the application.
No other documents are required to obtain a single e-visa. By PERPETUA ETYANG, The Star
Pakistan has completed its first tractor export to Tanzania, marking a notable development in the country's international trade efforts. The shipment, coordinated with the assistance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), involves Pakistani tractors being delivered to the East African market.
The initial consignment of tractors was received by the Masai Tracta Company in Tanzania, establishing a new commercial connection between Pakistan and the East African region. This export represents an expansion of Pakistan's agricultural machinery trade capabilities.
Pak Tractors House Company managed the export process, working to introduce Pakistani-manufactured tractors to a new international market. The shipment comes as part of broader efforts to develop trade relationships with East African countries.
The partnership involves collaboration between Pakistani manufacturers and the Masai Tracta Company, which aims to facilitate the introduction of Pakistani agricultural machinery in the Tanzanian market. This development indicates potential opportunities for future trade exchanges.
Economic officials note that the tractor export demonstrates Pakistan's manufacturing sector's ability to engage in international trade. The shipment opens potential avenues for future agricultural machinery exports to East African markets.
The SIFC has played a supportive role in facilitating this trade initiative, working to create pathways for international business connections. The organization's involvement highlights ongoing efforts to expand Pakistan's global trade networks. Samaa Web Desk
Kenya will on Monday join other member states to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in commemorating this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day.
The Day is annually marked to take stock of the progress made, challenges encountered, lessons learnt and the reforms required in the fight against corruption and other governance malpractices. The event will be held at Strathmore University.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will lead other governance stakeholders from the public, private, civil society and faith sectors in commemorating the day, which provides a crucial platform for national reflection on the country’s anti-corruption journey in the last one year.
This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity” underscores the vital role of young people in promoting integrity and combating corruption. By Muraya Kamunde, KBC
Wiper Party leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto and his administration of creating a constitutional crisis by failing to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking during a Sunday service at PCEA Nguthuru Parish, ELIM Church in Kenol, Murang’a County, Kalonzo said the government’s delays were deliberate and politically motivated.
“They want candidates who are easy to influence and manipulate. It is a Ruto strategy to ensure there is no IEBC,” he stated.
Kalonzo emphasized that the Azimio coalition had adhered to court timelines and submitted Koki Muli as its nominee for the IEBC Selection Panel. However, he accused the State of filing an appeal against their decision in the Kiambu High Court to stall the process further.
“Speaker Wetang’ula is also part of the conspiracy against Kenyans. If they had taken time to marshal Parliament as they did with Riggy G, the country would not be in a constitutional crisis,” he added.
Kalonzo was accompanied by prominent leaders, including former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, and former MPs Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and Jude Jomo (Kiambu).
The remarks come amid mounting pressure on the government to expedite the reconstitution of the electoral body to avoid further constitutional challenges. By Beth Nyaga, KBC
Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.
To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854. If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.
We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.
