The United Kingdom is set to deport another Kenyan, Yagnesh Devani to face fraud and corruption charges.
Devani is the mastermind of the infamous Sh7.6 billion Triton petroleum scandal.
On Thursday, outgoing Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai said the deportation process has been made possible by the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Guidelines launched at a Nairobi hotel yesterday.
He said MLA Guidelines give a roadmap which direct authorities within borders outside Kenya on how to work together in the war against crime globally.
“Today marks an important chapter in our criminal justice sector reforms. My office will continue to support international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime, corruption and money laundering. Regional and international cooperation is critical for any nation to combat transnational crimes,” Muigai noted according to the Star.
He offered that in a matter of about one week, the tycoon will be deported to face prosecution.
He added that British authorities have showed cooperation with Kenya given that they worked together last year and ensured successful extradition of self-proclaim miracle worker, televangelist Gilbert Deya.
“Devani and Bishop Gilbert Deya, who is currently being prosecuted over the miracle baby’s saga, had claimed Kenyan prisons are deathtraps,” said the outgoing AG.
“Of course, our prisons are not five- star hotels, but our British counterparts can attest that they are indeed habitable.”
Devani who was the director of Triton Petroleum Limited stands accused of engineering the release of the oil company’s stock of fuel from the Kenya Pipeline Company’s storage tanks without informing the financiers.
He left Kenya after successful application of asylum in the UK. Hitherto, he has exhausted all legal avenues blocking his extradition back to the country.
Meanwhile, at the launch, Jersey government said it will make a fresh request for extradition of billionaire Samuel Gichuru and former Minister Chris Okemo.
The two are accused of money laundering and Jersey authorities want them extradited for them to be prosecuted there.
Muigai said he hopes that the request which will handled by his successor will be processed without much ado.
UK High Commissioner Nic Hailey lauded Kenya for launching the guidelines saying it showed commitment that Kenya was ready to fight organized crimes.
“Kenya is the first country in the East African region to have these guidelines. We’re currently being faced by threats that are global in nature and you will often find offenders running to foreign jurisdictions for their own sordid gratification. Let’s work together to counter these threats,” stated Hailey.