This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
On October 28, 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) took action against Mohammed Soud Machele, a business associate of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, freezing his bank accounts.
The move came after bank transactions totaling Sh324 million raised concerns, prompting the CBK to launch an investigation into potential money laundering or proceeds from illicit activities.
According to sources, Machele's Gulf Bank account, located in the Mombasa branch, has been inaccessible since the freeze, with his attempts to make withdrawals being denied.
The CBK is also probing those who have been depositing funds into Machele's account and whether he operates other accounts in local or offshore banks.
It has been established that Machele is no stranger to large transactions, with evidence suggesting he operates a dollar account with another international bank.
Furthermore, Machele's business dealings have been shrouded in controversy, with allegations of operating firms using proxies and engaging in Instagram-style business models with the county, creating a direct conflict of interest.
Additionally, Machele has been accused of using his philanthropic claims to hide his illicit dealings, with some speculating that he is being groomed to run for the Mvita MP seat in 2022, currently held by Abdulsamad Nassir.
Interestingly, Machele's rise to wealth is attributed to his involvement in dubious business at the port, where he worked as a casual laborer for the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) before becoming a key figure in the Joho family's financial interests.
