Former AG Wako, wife and son barred from entering US over corruption

Busia Senator and former Attorney-General Amos Wako. He is accused of corruption. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Busia Senator and former Attorney General Amos Wako has been denied entry into the US over alleged involvement in corruption. US entry

In a press statement by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Wako has been slapped with a ban over what the US described as involvement in ‘significant corruption’.

“This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), which 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,” stated Pompeo

Also affected by the ban are Wako’s wife Flora Ngaira and his son Julius Wako.

“The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members.  In addition to the designation of Mr Wako, the Department is also publicly designating Wako’s wife, Flora Ngaira, and son, Julius Wako,” read the statement.

Pompeo stated that the action will send 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.

“The United States will continue to stand with all Kenyans as they strive to curb and punish corruption in Kenya.”

The statement, however, did not indicate when Wako was involved in the alleged corruption.

Wako is currently one of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) advisory task force members set to present a report to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

He was elected on an ODM senator in the 2017 General Election.