In 2019, Swiss authorities delayed repatriation of approximately Sh200 million in frozen assets tied to Kenya’s Anglo Leasing corruption scandal, citing ongoing judicial proceedings in the East African nation. The funds, part of a $2 million recovery effort, originated from the 2003 Anglo Leasing contract—a multibillion-shilling fraud that allegedly cost Kenya over $600 million.
Ms. Saskia Salzmann, diplomatic attaché at the Embassy of Switzerland to Kenya, stated repatriation depends on Kenyan courts finalizing proceedings related to the case. "The assets seized in Switzerland may be returned to Kenya based on a final and executable confiscation decision from the Kenyan Judiciary," she told the Sunday Nation.
Swiss officials emphasized that judicial processes must conclude before funds can be transferred. The Anglo Leasing scandal implicated high-profile figures including former ministers and businessmen, with Kenya suspected to have lost more than Sh60 billion through 18 security-related contracts involving substandard equipment and inflated prices.
