President William Ruto has signed an agreement with the government of Mozambique to fight transnational crimes through legal cooperation in prevention, investigation, and prosecution.
In a statement by Kenya’s Attorney General (AG) Justin Muturi, the two governments will work together to fight any form of security threat to their citizens.
“In keeping with the promise made by the Kenya Kwanza Government to the people of Kenya to end state capture, through strengthening mutual legal assistance arrangements with partner states with respect to sharing of information and repatriation of stolen assets, I and Her Excellency Veronica Macamo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique have signed the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Mozambique,” said the AG.
Further, Muturi stated that globalization and migration have led to an escalation in transnational crimes which involves criminals operating in a complex manner and in multiple countries.
In addition, he said the two countries are realizing the need for legal cooperation in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of transnational crimes.
This he says includes putting in place modalities for assistance in investigations, prosecutions and confiscation or forfeiture of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime.
“We are convinced that eliminating any threat to the security of their citizens can best be achieved by sustained cooperation between the Parties in judicial area.
The growth of transnational crimes such as, fraud, corruption terrorism, drug and human trafficking, counterfeiting, money laundering and cybercrime among others makes it necessary to put in place bilateral, regional, and international cooperative frameworks necessary to curb and combat the occurrence of such crimes,” said Muturi.
Further, Muturi said that in recognition of the foregoing, his office (Office of the Attorney General) led the successful negotiation and conclusion of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance signed by the two countries.
Additionally, Muturi noted that Kenya and Mozambique also signed the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between the two States.
This, he added, will facilitate the reintegration of the sentenced persons into society through giving them the opportunity to serve their sentences in their own countries.
Ruto Mozambique Visit
President William Ruto arrived in Mozambique on Thursday, August 10, for a two-day State Visit aimed at bolstering ties with Kenya.
State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed said the President was scheduled to hold talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, on how to expand bilateral between their countries.
“The talks will particularly center on sectors such as the Blue Economy and Fisheries, Trade, Defence, Agriculture, Energy, Transport and Capacity Building,” said Hussein Mohamed, State House Spokesman.
During the visit, President Ruto and Nyusi were also expected to sign eight cooperation agreements to mark collaborations between Kenya and Mozambique.
