Former Kenyan Governor Banned From Visiting US Over Graft

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_94492" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko[/caption] The United States government has suspended former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko from visiting the country over alleged involvement in corruption. In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, the US. Department of State said Sonko received bribes and kickbacks while he was serving as the Governor. “The U.S. Department of State is designating former-Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko Gidion Mbuvi Kioko due to his involvement in significant corruption… His actions undermined the rule of law and the public’s faith in Kenya’s democratic institutions and public processes,” reads part of the statement. The ban also affect his family which included wife and children. “This designation is made under Section 7031© 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,” said the US Department of State. The department noted that such designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combatting corruption and supporting the rule of law while strengthening democratic institutions in Kenya. They promised to use available tools to promote accountability in Africa and the entire world.