The release of the Pandora Papers, linking a number of high-level individuals to secret offshore accounts and properties, yesterday reignited debate on the role of tax havens where the rich stash their wealth.

President Kenyatta, whose family has been linked to billions of shillings stashed in foreign banks, says the “Pandora Papers and subsequent follow-up audits will lift the veil of secrecy and darkness for those who cannot explain their assets or wealth”.

The leaked report alleges that the President’s family is linked to 13 offshore companies holding more than Sh3.3 billion. The report did not disclose the sources of the funds nor impute wrongdoing of any kind on the account holders. Nothing under Kenyan law prohibits any citizen from owning property or bank accounts outside the country.

The only exception is that the Constitution prohibits State officers from holding undisclosed bank accounts outside the country. In this case, the Papers did not disclose whether the accounts are in the President’s name.