This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Published on October 28, 2019, the US government has notified Kenya of its intention to charge several high-ranking officials with corruption and drug trafficking, potentially leading to US visa bans.
According to sources, the list of individuals targeted by the US includes two judges, a prominent city lawyer, two governors, a former governor, and a former cabinet secretary, among others.
The US government has identified over 100 corrupt public figures it intends to block from entering the United States, with the list including national government officials, county officials, and former and current parastatal chiefs.
Those on the list include governors facing criminal charges, such as Ferdinard Waititu (Kiambu), Okoth Obado (Migori), Sospester Ojamoong (Busia), Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu), and Ali Roba (Mandera), as well as former Finance CS Henry Rotich and his former PS, Kamau Thugge, and Susan Jemtai Koech, former PS, East African Community.
The US ambassador to Kenya, Kyle McCarter, has vowed not to allow corrupt Kenyan leaders and their children to set foot in the US, emphasizing the need for Kenya to be an environment free of corruption.
McCarter stated that it was unfair for the common mwananchi to be brutally punished for the theft of smaller amounts of money, whereas the big fish got away scot-free with theft of billions of shillings.
