Revealed: Top names in US visa ban list

• Cabinet ministers, MPs, AG and PSs among the 15 who got Obama letters

The US government on Thursday threatened to impose a visa ban on 15 top government officials and block aid to the country.

The officials have received letters from the US government applying pressure on them to back reforms and renounce violence.

Civil service boss Francis Muthaura, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet Ministers William Ruto, Franklin Bett and Mutula Kilonzo have been given letters from President Barack Obama’s Africa advisor, Mr Johnnie Carson.

Veiled threat

Although the US government did not disclose the names of those facing sanctions, the Nation learnt that they also included joint chief whips George Thuo and Jakoyo Midiwo, Environment Minister John Michuki and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti.

Making what may be seen as a veiled threat, the letter says that their future relationship with the US will be directly “tied to their support for implementation of the reform agenda and opposition to the use of violence”.

For some of those targeted, it could be because their official posts place them in a position to influence the pace of reforms.

At the same time, the US government maintains its demand for the removal of Attorney-General Amos Wako and Chief Justice Evan Gicheru, according to ambassador Michael Ranneberger.

The Obama administration said the 15 risked facing travel bans on themselves and their families.

The US also announced that Kenya’s efforts to borrow from international financial institutions will be “closely scrutinised”, possibly an insinuation that the US could block funds to Kenya.

Crucial role

Announcing the strong measures, Mr Ranneberger said the Obama administration had already sent letters to the affected individuals “making clear that the future relationship of those persons with the United States is tied to their support for implementation of the reform agenda and opposition to the use of violence.

While not naming the 15, Mr Ranneberger said ministers, MPs, permanent secretaries, and other prominent officials are among those receiving letters,” he said.

He said both ODM and PNU had about a similar number of people who got the letters, whose contents the Nation published on Thursday.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua, however, refused to comment on the warnings only saying: “We do not respond to activism diplomacy.”

Mr Wako could have been included because his office is expected to play a crucial role in the implementation of reforms as top legal government advisor while Mr Muthaura’s office is crucial in ensuring ministers adhere to the rule of collective responsibility.

Mr Kilonzo’s ministry is crucial in spearheading the reform agenda including judicial reforms while police falls in Prof Saitoti’s docket. Mr Thuo and Mr Midiwo are important in whipping MPs from both sides of the political divide to support reform.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto might have been included in the list because of the political influence they have especially in their respective regions.