A United States court has given permission to a man connected to Kenya, who was convicted of embezzling food aid, to travel to Kenya and sell properties he acquired using the proceeds from the crime. These properties include a luxurious apartment in Nairobi and a resort property in Diani.
US District Judge Nancy Brasel has granted Liban Alishire temporary permission to travel, enabling him to raise funds to repay the millions he stole from the program.
Alishire informed the court that the sale of these properties would cover the Ksh107 million (USD712,084) he had embezzled from the program. He has been allowed to stay in Kenya for 30 days, starting from November, with the condition that he stays in contact with his lawyer. Upon returning to the US, he must surrender his passport within 24 hours.
Alishire was one of 60 suspects involved in a fraudulent scheme to steal from the government by using a fake food aid program. He was accused of setting up a company to distribute food to the needy but failed to do so after receiving the funds, instead bribing government officials and keeping the rest for himself. The remaining funds were funneled into a second company that he used to purchase a truck, boat, and real estate. Court documents revealed that one such shell company controlled by Alishire, known as Hoodo Properties, was used to launder the proceeds from the fraud scheme.
During his court hearing, Alishire pleaded guilty to wire fraud and one count of money laundering. He argued that coming to Kenya, with his knowledge of the local market, would allow him to sell his property and raise the necessary funds.
A lawyer representing Alishire defended his appeal to travel to Kenya, emphasizing that he was not a flight risk, as suggested by the Federal prosecutors. The lawyer stated that it would make no sense for Alishire to have engaged in these activities if he intended to make a futile attempt to flee a year later. He also noted that Kenya had an extradition treaty with the US, which would facilitate his arrest if he failed to return.
Despite his wife and two children residing in the US, Alishire has family connections in Kenya. His sentencing is scheduled for a later date. Other convicts involved in the scheme were also permitted to travel to various countries to sell properties and raise funds for restitution. One was allowed to travel to Somalia and Saudi Arabia, while another went to Turkey, Ethiopia, and Dubai.
The fraudulent food aid scheme was one of the largest scandals in the US, involving at least Ksh37.5 billion (USD250 million) stolen by individuals posing as charitable providers for the needy.
