Maureen Jelagat Bargoria
Nairobi
Summary
Dynamic Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CTF) practitioner with extensive expertise in risk-based supervision and the implementation of targeted financial sanctions. Demonstrated success in creating effective supervisory structures that combat illicit financial flows, thereby enhancing the integrity of the global financial system. Focused on practical solutions tailored to AML/CFT challenges within the African context.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Secretary, Law Enforcement Coordination Group
Multi-Agency Team established pursuant to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012
Nairobi
2023.07 - Current
- Appointed as Secretary to the Law Enforcement Coordination Group, representing the Financial Reporting Centre in the Multi-Agency team.
- Providing technical support to the Law Enforcement Coordination Group in the identification of targets for designation under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373.
- Providing technical support to the Law Enforcement Coordination Group in the identification of targets for designation under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373.
- Review of counter-terrorism-related laws and proposing relevant amendments.
- Preparation of briefs for the Counter Financing of Terrorism Inter-Ministerial Committee, minute-taking, and provision of technical advice.
- Development of the National Counter Financing of Terrorism Strategy and Action Plan.
Compliance and Regulation Officer
Financial Reporting Centre
Nairobi
2022.03 - Current
- Designated as sector lead for the Casino Sector in charge of executing end to end supervision of licensed casinos.
- Leading collaboration activities on AML/CFT supervision between the Financial Reporting Centre and the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
- Executing in-depth risk profiling for all licensed establishments within the casinos sector, and coordinated onsite and offsite inspections.
- Developing sector-focused AML/CFT guidance materials.
- Drafting legal amendments to address gaps in Kenya's AML/CFT framework.
- Conducting effective training sessions for Reporting Institutions, focusing on customer due diligence, beneficial ownership transparency, and the implementation of targeted financial sanctions.
Consultant Junior Analyst
Salama Fikira
Nairobi
2020.01 - 2025.08
- Executed due diligence processes for overseas clients intending to set up operations in Kenya.
- Compiled comprehensive security situational reports regularly.
- Performed desk-based research focused on security issues.
Young Professional
Competition Authority of Kenya
Nairobi
2021.01 - 2021.12
- Investigated complaints concerning dominance abuse, buyer power misuse, and consumer protection concerns.
- Advised on compliance with pertinent legal regulations.
- Contributed to the development of the Competition Administrative Penalties Guidelines.
- Drafted legal documents for cases against the Authority at the Competition Tribunal and the High Court of Kenya.
Intern - Legal Department
Directorate of Criminal Investigations
Nairobi
2018.08 - 2019.12
- Supported investigators by providing extensive legal research for cases involving intricate processes such as banking fraud, procurement and land disputes.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Law
Kenya School of Law
Nairobi2020-12
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Nairobi
Nairobi2018-12
Master of Science - Forensic Science And Criminal Justice
University of Leicester
Leicester, United Kingdom2018-07
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Kenyatta University
Nairobi2014-12
Skills
- Regulatory compliance drafting
- General legal drafting
- Research and report writing
- Critical thinking and solution development
- Effective written and oral communication
- Stakeholder engagement and training
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Collaborative problem solver
Key Certifications and Trainings
- Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group Regional Assessors Training, March 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Advanced Virtual Assets Tracing Trainer of Trainers Course, Abu Dhabi, September 2024
- Risk-Based Supervision by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) - June 2024, Naivasha, Kenya
- Training of the Trainers Course on Proliferation Financing by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Windhoek, Namibia, March 2024
- Financial Action Task Force Standards Course - November 2022, Busan, South Korea
- Effective Asset Forfeiture, University of Cape Town, and UNODC - August 2022
Achievements
- Represented Kenya in defending the country's Post-Observation Period Report before the Financial Action Task Force, International Cooperation Review Group on Immediate Outcomes 10 and 11 regarding the implementation of Targeted Financial Sanctions
- Successfully circulated multiple UN designations made pursuant to UNSCR 1267 and 1988, and circulated updates on designations 'without delay,' as required to Reporting Institutions, Law Enforcement Agencies, Supervisory Bodies, and the public
- Co-chaired the inter-agency working group, which conducted the first Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment Report for legal persons and legal arrangements
- Pioneered the development of risk profiling tools for the casino sector and commenced implementation The casino sector was the first among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) sectors to be subjected to risk-based supervision.
- Contributed to the drafting of various legal amendments, which have contributed to improvements in Kenya's technical compliance standing since the adoption of Kenya's Mutual Evaluation Report.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Secretary, Law Enforcement Coordination Group
Multi-Agency Team established pursuant to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012
2023.07 - Current
Compliance and Regulation Officer
Financial Reporting Centre
2022.03 - Current
Young Professional
Competition Authority of Kenya
2021.01 - 2021.12
Consultant Junior Analyst
Salama Fikira
2020.01 - 2025.08
Intern - Legal Department
Directorate of Criminal Investigations
2018.08 - 2019.12
Post Graduate Diploma - Law
Kenya School of Law
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Nairobi
Master of Science - Forensic Science And Criminal Justice
University of Leicester
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Kenyatta University