The U.S. State Department has designated former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko for engaging in significant corruption, banning him and his family from entering the U.S.
“While in office, Governor Sonko solicited bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding government contracts to his associates. His actions undermined the rule of law and the public’s faith in Kenya’s democratic institutions and public processes,” Ned Price, U.S. State Department, said in a press release.
Price said the ban also applies to Sonko’s family.
While in office, Governor Sonko solicited bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding government contracts to his associates. — Nded Price, Spokesman U.S. State Department.
“The Department of State is also announcing the designation of the following members of Sonko’s immediate family: his wife Primrose Mwelu Nyamu Mbuvi; their daughters Saumu Agnes Mbuvi and Salma Wanjiru Mbuvi; and Sonko’s minor child,” Price said in the statement.
Sonko, whose birth name is Gideon Kioko Mbuvi, has reacted angrily to the ban. He said the U.S. government is motivated by politics and targeted to ban him just after he had announced he’d run to be Nairobi governor again.
“Wapi wale ma Covid billionaires, wengine wanafanya kazi State House? Sonnko said in a press conference. “Kwanini hao bado hawajaendewa na serikali ya America?”
Translation: Why haven’t they (The U.S. Government) gone after the Covid billionaires — government officials who allegedly stole public funds designated to help Kenya through the pandemic– some of who Sonko alleges work in the State House.
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, the statement from Price said.
Sonko is known for his flashy ways, handing out cash to people and running a private ambulance and funeral service in Nairobi. His source of wealth remains a mystery.
He was impeached and removed from office in December 2020 after lawmakers found him guilty on 11 charges related to gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct, among other violations.
Despite his removal from the governorship, Sonko has remained in the public eye with his regular posting of secretly-recorded messages with public figures allegedly engaging in corruption.
In one dramatic exchange, Sonko and ODM MCA candidate Gaucho engaged in a 35-minute insult-laden verbal karate after Gaucho reprimanded Sonko for posting a video of a woman who exposed her breasts to him.
“This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021,” Price said in his statement.
SONKO’S PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER HEARING THE NEWS OF HIS BAN
