make money in the not so right way by winning tenders and other crimes. But these accusations did not go unanswered as the Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has responded to the United States of America (USA) embassy after being banning him and his immediate family from travelling to the US. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the Immigration documents stopping the five (Sonko, his wife and three children) from getting visas to the US, citing alleged corruption during Sonko’s reign as the governor of Nairobi county.
Speaking in Mombasa on the evening of Tuesday, March 8, Sonko insisted that the US was being unfair and that his family had done nothing to warrant the blanket ban.
“I am shocked and surprised. My wife and daughters have never applied or won any tenders while I was Nairobi governor. We have other governors facing criminal charges with their children. Why have they not been charged,” he said. “My cases are still in court and the rule of law in Kenya on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty stands. I have not been convicted of any crimes,” he added He also pointed an accusing finger at the government blaming it for his woes.
“I am being persecuted because I differed with the state over some issues. But I will exhaust all avenues of appeal and ensure I am cleared,’ he said.
Sonko had been barred from travelling to the United States of America over his alleged corruption dealings when he was the county boss. During his tenure, the US Department of State said Sonko solicited bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding government contracts to his associates.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 8, US Secretary of state Anthony Blinken said the politician’s actions undermined the rule of law and the public’s faith in Kenya’s democratic institutions and public processes. “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,” said Blinken.
