Nairobi – Kenya’s president ordered on Thursday the central bank to issue regulations and then lift restrictions on key money transfer services vital for Somalia suspended over suspected links to the al-Qaeda-allied Shabaab.
Kenya in April froze transfer companies as part of a crackdown on alleged Shabaab supporters following the university massacre of almost 150 people by the Islamists.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a statement released to mark Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, said he had “noted the proposal to lift the suspension of licences” for 13 registered money remittance providers (MRPs).
“I direct the Central Bank of Kenya to immediately issue comprehensive regulations that guide the operation of MRPs, upon which their suspension would be lifted,” Kenyatta added.
Security review
Aid agencies criticised the shutting down of transfer services, warning it would hit the poorest hardest and jeopardise their operations.
With no formal banking system in the poverty-stricken country, diaspora Somalis use money transfer services to send cash back home to support their families, sending some $1.3bn each year, dwarfing foreign aid.
Kenyatta also called for a security “review” during Ramadan. In past years Shabaab fighters have intensified attacks during the month of fasting.
“Aware that the enemies of our country may wish to exploit this season, I call upon the entire Muslim fraternity and its leadership to remain vigilant, and do everything in their power, to co-operate fully with the security agencies in order to safeguard this holy month,” Kenyatta said.
Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in 2011 to fight the Shabaab, and later joined the African Union force, Amisom, which is supporting Somalia’s internationally-backed government.
The Shabaab have since stepped up their operations in Kenya, dealing a blow to plans for the troops to serve as a buffer and protect the long and porous border.
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