The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) has dropped a Sh113 million “dirty cash” case against a woman who was at the centre of investigations into an international money laundering scheme involving foreigners.
The state agency terminated the cash-freeze suit yesterday against Ms Tebby Wambuku Kago, giving her the greenlight to use the money amounting to $909,900 (Sh113 million) that she received as a “love gift” from a Belgium-based tycoon two years ago.
Ms Wambuku received the money in April 2021 from Marc De Mesel, a Belgian cryptocurrency expert, who also wired more than Sh300 million to three other Kenyan women and a university student.
They are Ms Wambuku’s sister Jane Wangui Kago, her friend Felista Nyamathira Njoroge and Sarah Wambui Kamanda.
Ms Wambuku received Sh113 million, Ms Nyamathira Sh109 million, Ms Wangui Sh49 million and Ms Wambui Sh100 million. The women claimed to be in romantic relationships with the Belgium millionaire.
“We urged the court to allow the withdrawal of the suit. The investigations found no sufficient evidence to sustain the forfeiture proceedings. We have a consent signed by both parties to have the matter withdrawn,” ARA lawyer Mohamed Adow told court. Justice Esther Maina allowed the application.
