Remittance Companies in Kenya react to government move to suspend licenses

Kenya Forex Bureau association has faulted government move to issue a directive to close down and suspend their licenses for operation.

The association has also blamed the government for not giving chance to defend itself as it is legally approved and licensed by central bank of Kenya.

They said in a joint press conference that all 13 companies were registered including telecommunication giant Safaricom.

“We are greatly concerned that our legally operating members are classified with suspected terrorist,” read part of press statement.

“As association, we wish to inform the general public that we do not at any time support or encourage any of our members with terrorist or terror activities,” it added.

The association has urged also the government to punish through the law any member found in engaging in terror activities instead of collective punishment.

“We wish to clarify that if any member is found guilty of engaging in terror related activity then that member should face full force of the law individually,”

Meanwhile remittance company were close all over predominate Somali neighborhood of Eastleigh on Tuesday.

Notice of closure until further notice and confused customers were seen in front of the Halawa branches.

Kenya government has maintained that the move is aimed at security measure to curb increasing Al Shabaab attacks in the country.