Kenya's money-laundering hotspots by sector

Kenya's economy has been found to be vulnerable to money laundering, with the construction sector emerging as the leading hotspot, accounting for a staggering 56.50% of reported cases.

The high value and complex nature of real estate and construction projects can make it easier to conceal illicit funds. This is followed by the real estate sector at 8.07%, which is also a popular avenue for laundering due to its high-value assets.

Other significant sectors include manufacturing at 7.17%, money transfer agents at 5.83%, and consultancy at 4.48%. The data also highlights the vulnerability of the textile industry (4.04%) and retailers (3.14%).

These figures, sourced from the Business Registration Service, reveal the varied ways criminals exploit different industries to legitimize their illegal earnings.

Understanding these sector-specific vulnerabilities is a crucial step in developing targeted strategies to combat financial crimes and strengthen the country's financial integrity.