‘Innocent Until Proven Guilty,’ Sonko Fights Back Following US Travel Ban

NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar, 8 – Former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is fighting back following news that he alongside his family have been barred from setting foot inside the United States of America over alleged involvement in corruption.

Sonko refuted claims that he has been charged and found guilty saying that his cases are still pending in court.

He termed the move as unfair and discriminatory in nature particularly since the announcement was made just a day after he announced plans to run for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat again.

“None of my family members was ever awarded any tender by the county when I was in office and it’s in the public domain, the embassy should come out publicly and tell Kenyans the truth. My wife and kids have never supplied even a spoon or toilet paper to city hall either directly or indirectly,” said Sonko.

Sonko called on the US Department of State to impose the ban on others accused of serious corruption charges saying that despite the clear discrimination he was the one being unfairly targeted and that the law was being,”applied selectively,”

In a statement, the US Department of State  designated the former-Nairobi Governor as persona non grata. They further said that while in office, Sonko solicited bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding government contracts to his associates.  His actions are further saids to have 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,” read a section of the statement.

Members of his family were also targeted in the travel ban.

“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,”

The designations the US said are part of her commitment to combatting corruption and supporting the rule of law while strengthening democratic institutions in Kenya.