By TWV Reporter
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a high-stakes probe into American billionaire Ezrah Chammah, suspected of masterminding a gold and diamond smuggling syndicate operating through Kenya.
The investigation, which has sent shockwaves across the region, also alleges that Chammah is financing rebel groups in the war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbating conflict in the volatile region. Kenya, a critical transit hub for illicit minerals from conflict zones like the DRC, South Sudan, Sudan, and Ethiopia, is at the heart of the syndicate’s operations.
The DCI claims that Chammah’s network smuggles gold and diamonds from the DRC through Kenya to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly Dubai, as well as parts of Europe and Asia. An estimated two tons of gold, primarily from unregulated artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations controlled by armed groups, passes through Kenya annually, far exceeding the 672 kg officially exported in 2023.
The probe has zeroed in on Paul Grinda, a French citizen and alleged aide to Chammah, who reportedly fled Kenya via Tanzania, complicating efforts to apprehend key figures in the syndicate. The DCI’s investigation highlights Kenya’s vulnerability as a conduit for conflict minerals, with lax regulations enabling the illicit trade to thrive, particularly en route to Dubai, a global gold trading hub.
Chammah has vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “I categorically deny any links to gold or diamond smuggling in Kenya or financing rebel groups in the DRC. I left Kenya on 6 May 2025, well before the alleged events.” Despite his rebuttal, the DCI continues to pursue leads, underscoring the case’s complexity and its potential to expose high-level international involvement in illicit trade. The allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s role in regional mineral governance. The illicit gold trade, valued at billions of shillings, fuels money laundering and conflict in the DRC, undermining stability in the Great Lakes region. Kenya’s position as a smuggling hub also raises questions about the efficacy of existing regulations, with parallels to historical scandals like Goldenberg. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight of Kenya’s mineral trade.
Authorities must enhance border controls and collaborate with international partners to curb the flow of conflict minerals. The government faces pressure to implement robust anti-smuggling measures and address the systemic vulnerabilities that enable such syndicates to operate.
