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US slaps visa ban on govt official
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to Kenya Johnnie Carson (left) during a media briefing on the Visa ban by the US government of a senior Kenyan government official on October 26, 2009. He is flanked by current US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger. LIZ MUTHONI
In Summary
- US imposes visa sanctions on top official it accuses of blocking reforms and failing, for 15 years, to deal with grand corruption
The Obama administration on Monday revoked the visa of a top Kenyan government official.
Three more would also be banned as soon as the paperwork was ready, the United States assistant secretary for African Affairs, Mr Johnnie Carson, announced on Monday. The visa is intended to put pressure on government to speed up reforms.
It is a particularly bold step coming so soon after President Kibaki wrote to President Barack Obama to protest against the direct targeting of individual members of his government.
Mr Carson refused to name the official, only saying he has a US visa and travels widely on government business.
The decision to impose the ban appears to have come out of meetings in Washington between Mr Kofi Annan and Mr Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“The former UN secretary-general has met in Washington with Secretary Clinton and President Obama and Kenya has featured in both meetings. They both have strong favourable views on Kenya,” Mr Carson said.
Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula condemned the ban as “megaphone diplomacy”. He said the US was “conducting our affairs from rooftops”.
There was widespread speculation, including in diplomatic circles, about the identity of the banned minister.
During her visit in August, Mrs Clinton was reported to have pressed for changes in the police force, the Judiciary and the State Law Office.
Former police commissioner Hussein Ali has since been transferred to the Postal Corporation of Kenya as Postmaster-General. Attorney-General Amos Wako and Chief Justice Evan Gicheru are still in office.
“For 15 years, grand corruption has reigned such as Anglo Leasing but not one top officer has been found guilty. Millions of dollars that could have been used to build schools have disappeared and the Attorney-General and the Judiciary are responsible,” Mr Carson said.
Mr Wako, Kenya’s longest serving AG, has been in charge of prosecutions for 18 years. His record of successfully prosecuting corruption has been widely criticised.
On Monday, a source close to Mr Wako said the US embassy had not been in touch with the AG. The source also said the AG would respond publicly if he was the banned minister.
On official duty
Mr Justice Gicheru was away on official duty in Mombasa and could not be reached.
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I still can never understand why someone posts a comment here he believes he is speaking for the majority. Sorry to burst your bubble derfdael. You may not have voted for Wetangula, others did, and he's fine defender for our country's stature. This country is deeply divided on almost any issue. just learn to live with it.
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look at all these ahois celebrating while one athomi denies another athomi visa to his country for reasons best known to themselves. If the Us cares so much bt the common kenyan, why not erase visas for all uncorrupt kenyans who wants to earn a living in the Us? No? Hypocrites
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I will again blame it on us kenyans,How do you vote in someone like mr.wetangula for two terms consecutively.Even if he is my tribesman Idont denie that but his standings on national issues have always been based on selfish intrest but not frm majority common citizens who will carelesly vote him in again to complain.Come on wetangula its your time if those voting you in havent learned anything like you dont get iritated when kenyans suffer e.g migingo issue but very quick to react wen govt minister is being denied avisa.
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