The United States federal government has banned former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko from travelling to the country.
The ban announced by the State Department on Tuesday, March 8, also included his wife and two daughters. The family will no longer be able to visit the US over alleged corruption during his term in office.
According to the powerful department, Sonko allegedly demanded bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding government contracts to his associates.
The US government stated that the former county boss' actions undermined the rule of law and the public’s faith in Kenya’s democratic institutions and public processes.
"The Department of State is also announcing the designation of the following members of Sonko’s immediate family: his wife Primrose Mwelu Nyamu Mbuvi; their daughters Saumu Agnes Mbuvi and Salma Wanjiru Mbuvi; and Sonko’s minor child," the embargo read in part.
"This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. Under this authority, designated officials of foreign governments involved in significant corruption and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States," it added.
In the statement, the State Department indicated that the ban on Sonko and his family was a commitment on its part to help Kenya fight corrupt government officials.
"These designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combatting corruption and supporting the rule of law while strengthening democratic institutions in Kenya.
"We will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally," the statement indicated.
The travel ban comes amid a Ksh357 million graft case facing the former Nairobi governor. Sonko was arrested in 2019 and charged alongside eight other senior Nairobi County officials.
Sonko denied charges of conspiracy to commit corruption, conflict of interest, failure to comply with procurement laws, unlawful acquisition of public property and laundering.
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, ordered his arrest noting that his office had sufficient evidence to prove the corruption charges against Sonko.
