British-Kenyan businessman Kamlesh Pattni was on Monday dealt a blow after the United Kingdom imposed financial sanctions on him over involvement in corruption.
Through the International Corruption Unit (ICU), an agency that investigates international bribery, and corruption, UK sanctioned Pattni for using bribes to export gold from South Africa.
“Today’s sanctions consist of three individuals designated under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021. Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman who has used bribery to export gold from southern Africa as a means of laundering dirty money,” read the statement in part.
Pattni was sanctioned alongside his wife and brother-in-law, whom the ICU stated have a long history of involvement in his network of companies.
British officials said they would freeze assets belonging to Pattni and other associates.
In a statement, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the sanctions aimed to disrupt the business dealings of Pattni, whom it accused of smuggling illegal gold from South Africa.
The businessman has been associated with various scandals in the past, including the Goldenberg scandal which rocked the country during the 1990s.
It involved the fraudulent export of gold and other commodities, leading to significant financial losses for the Kenyan government.
Pattni has been implicated in using bribery and corrupt practices to facilitate the export of gold from southern Africa, which has raised concerns about money laundering activities linked to his operations.
The tycoon was sanctioned under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021, which allows the UK government to impose asset freezes and travel bans on individuals involved in serious corruption and related offences.
The sanctions against Pattni are part of broader efforts by the UK authorities to combat international bribery and corruption that have implications for both national and international security.
The British Graft body noted Pattni’s activities not only undermine economic stability but also contribute to organized crime networks that exploit natural resources in conflict zones.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE