The United States Government on Monday, November 18, barred former Attorney General Amos Wako from accessing the country.
In a statement on the US State Department's website, the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated that the decision was made due to his involvement in significant corruption.
Amos Wako was - publicly designated by the US State Department - which means he has been barred from entering the country together with members of his immediate family.
"Today, the Department designates former Kenyan Attorney General Amos Sitswila Wako due to his involvement in significant corruption.
"In addition to the designation of Mr. Wako, the Department is also publicly designating Wako’s wife, Flora Ngaira, and son, Julius Wako," the statement read in part.
Pompeo stated that Wako's blacklisting was a strong signal that the United States was a valuable partner in Kenya’s fight against corruption.
"Economic prosperity for all Kenyans is only possible by defeating the scourge of corruption, which also requires a functional, fair, and transparent criminal justice system. The United States will continue to stand with all Kenyans as they strive to curb and punish corruption in Kenya," he stated.
The designation was made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), as carried forward by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. A, P.L. 116-59).
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.
Amos Wako served as the Attorney General of the republic of Kenya for 20 years (from 13 May 1991 to 26 August 2011).
