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At least four foreigners have been arrested in Nairobi following an operation by Immigration Department officials targeting foreigners involved in motor vehicle sales.

Reports indicate that some of them were involved in money laundering in the pretext of selling motor vehicles.

Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) says lack of adequate regulatory oversight, large volumes of cash involved, and the fact that motor vehicle dealerships are subject to fewer regulations than banks have made money-laundering vulnerability in the sector very high.

The operation was mounted on Monday as the officials searched for those deemed illegal immigrants performing jobs that can be done by Kenyans and linked to claims of money-laundering.

Among those arrested were three Zimbabweans -Stanley Makombe and his two sons Trevor Tadiwanaishe and Trevor Tanaka – who have been working at the firm as who have been working at World Navi Motors along Ngong Road.

The officials are also tracking down two Japanese Yusuke Tamano and Yoshifumi Sawada who have since gone underground.

Kilimani police commander Moss Ndiwa said the operation was conducted by immigration and had no more details on them, adding the three Zimbabweans were detained at Kilimani police cells ahead of planned deportation for working without work permits.

“Those are immigration issues and the suspects are held in cells ahead of other procedures,” he said.
The three apparently replaced Philippine national Lianie Beth Gala at the yard who was deported in 2020 over claims of money laundering.

Police accompanied the immigration officers in the operation and said they are still looking for those at large and are targeting more foreigners in the illegal business. Officials had also raided Al-Shujah Motors belonging to a wealthy Pakistani businessman who is under investigations following reports that he is involved in money laundering and drug trafficking.

Hussain Jarrar, 48 who arrived in the country in 2006 and was later employed as a sales motor vehicle agent is now a billionaire. The Pakistani is also being investigated for forgery after it emerged he had obtained a Kenyan identity card fraudulently.

Instead they arrested his accountant, identified as only Yassin. He was released on bond and told to report back to immigration offices today for further grilling.

A report by FRC states that other factors including unregulated credit facilities and the fact that motor vehicle dealers are not required to report suspicious transactions have led to money laundering in the motor vehicle sales sector.