Resign over travel ban, AG urged

• Mr Omar says visa ban will impede his work since other countries were likely to follow suit.

Kenya Attorney General Amos Wako should resign following the move by the United States to revoke his visa, a human rights official said Friday.

Mr Hassan Omar, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights vice chair said the AG was no longer fit to hold office since public confidence in him had already waned.

“If such a thing happens to you as a public servant, then there are no two ways. The AG should just step aside,” said Mr Omar at a news conference in Nairobi Friday.

Mr Omar added that the AG cannot contest the travel ban by the US.

“It is upon them to decide whom they want. You cannot dictate to them what they are supposed to do,” he said.

“Suing the US will be an exercise in futility.”

He revealed that the visa ban will impede his work since other countries were likely to follow suit.

Reports have indicated that the European Union is also considering issuing a travel ban on the AG but Swedish Ambassador Ms Ann Dismorr could not confirm. Sweden holds the EU presidency.

Through her press officer Ms Linda Widmark, the Ambassador said: “For the time being, we shall not be making comments on the matter until the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Mr Luis Moreno Ocampo’s visit comes to an end.”

The US has also refused to be drawn into the saga or even comment on the fate of the three other senior government officials who are on their watch list.

Last week, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula, while criticising the move by the US said the government 'will hit back’ in protest over the decision to impose a visa ban on Mr Wako.

“It is unacceptable that an assistant minister walks into our country, makes a statement and walks out. The statement made by Johnnie Carson is totally out of order. We will hit back mundu khu mundu (man to man).”

Mr Wako who has been Kenya’s AG for the last 18 years, has insisted that he will not resign and threatened the sue Washington for defaming him.

The AG also dismissed reports that he was anti-reformist and blasted the US for revoking his visa. He also indicated that had not in any way engaged in any 'corrupt actions’ that had negatively affected the national interests of the US.

“I have no desire to visit the US, nevertheless, in view of the reasons given, which are defamatory, it is my intention to seek legal advice with a view of instituting legal proceedings in the US. I will take the war right to their door step,” said the AG earlier this week.