US Attorney for the District of Oregon, Scott Erik Asphaug, has stepped down to take up a special assignment in Kenya.
Asphaug has been appointed the new Justice Department's Resident Legal Advisor in Nairobi.
He will be attached to the Criminal Division's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) to work with Kenyan counterparts on justice sector issues.
According to information from the US, Asphaug will be vital in helping Kenya, especially the incoming government develop justice systems that can combat transnational crime, corruption, and terrorism consistent with international standards.
He will also be tasked with helping other government bodies in the country with cybercrime, public-procurement corruption, addressing gender-based violence and supporting the rule of law.
Asphaug, a 17-year veteran of the Department of Justice, has served as US Attorney for the District of Oregon since February 2021.
Before being appointed US Attorney, he held several leadership positions in the District of Oregon, including First Assistant US Attorney and Executive Assistant US Attorney.
Following his departure, effective July 17, 2022, Marco A. Hernández, Chief US District Court Judge for the District of Oregon, appointed Natalie K. Wight to serve as US Attorney for the District of Oregon in an interim capacity.
His role in Kenya confirms US interests in continuing to support the country in tackling corruption.
President Joe Biden's administration has been vocal in addressing corruption in bilateral partner countries including Kenya.
In line to America's stand on corruption, former Nairobi governor, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, and former Attorney General, Amos Wako, were banned from entering the US over allegations of engaging in corruption and abuse of office.
Sonko and Wako are just but a few of Kenyans who have been banned from entering US either at personal level or on assignment.
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