US imposes travel ban on ex-Kenya's Attorney General over corruption

NAIROBI, Kenya - The United States of America has stepped up in the effort to tame graft in Kenya, issuing a stern warning by barring a senior state official from travelling, following cancellation of his Visa.

Former Attorney General Amos Wako, now serving as Busia senator, his wife Flora Ngaira and son Julius Wako, were publicly designated by Secretary to the State Mike Pompeo on Monday.

Wako, a legal scholar who served as state attorney for 20 years since 1992, joined politics in 2012 where he was elected as a senator on Orange Democratic Movement party.

In his statement, Pompeo argued that Mr Wako had been found culpable of engaging in 'significant' corruption thus the decision to designate his entire family.

"Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States," US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said.

Pompeo said the move sends 'strong' signal that the US is a valuable partner of the East Africa nation, adding that Washington DC will continue standing with Kenya in graft fight.

"Today’s action sends a strong signal that the United States is a valuable partner in Kenya’s fight against corruption. The United States will continue to stand with all Kenyans as they strive to curb and punish corruption in Kenya," the statement read.

It's the first time the US is cancelling the travelling visa of a top state official in Kenya's history publicly. The move comes amid the heightened fight against corruption by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

US ambassador Kyle McCarter has often warned of drastic measures in taming graft lords, giving a hint on possible blacklisting of government officials from travelling to the US.

“Kenyans have allowed corruption to thrive and it is high time they said enough is enough. Thieves must be held accountable. Kenyans must stop these thieves now.”

In a press statement last month, McCarter hinted at barring a senior government official from travelling even though he didn't mention the name. The US envoy has also raised concerns about Kenya's debt levels.

While Wako's specific corruption cases were not highlighted, he was first profiled by US authorities in 2009 but vowed to challenge the move in court.

The designation could have a significant negative effect in the country's cohesion efforts given that Wako has been serving in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) committee.

Formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, BBI is set to handover a report that could lead to radical constitutional changes in the country.

Uhuru has been firing shots at corrupt public officials, arguing that 'he will not spare even his friends'. In July this year, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich was sacked over illegal payment for the construction of dams in Rift Valley.

Neither Wako nor his Orange Democratic Movement party has issued a statement. Mr Wako is playing an important role in Odinga's team ahead of 2022 presidential polls.

GAROWE ONLINE