US Blacklists Kenya’s Former Attorney General, Amos Wako, Over his Involvement in Significant Corruption

The US Department of State on Monday evening barred Kenya’s former AG and Busia Senator Amos Wako from travelling to the United States for what was described as involvement in significant corruption.

The announcement by the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in a special notice 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,” read the statement.

Further to this, Mr Wako’s wife Flora Ngaira, and son, Julius Wako were also barred meaning they will not be allowed to visit America or transact any business in that country with companies affiliated to Americans.

According to Mr Pompeo, the ban signals United States’ efforts to help Kenya fight the corruption menace.

“Today’s action sends a strong signal that the United States is 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,” he said