Persona Non Grata: Sonko, His Family Banned From Entering The USA

WASHINGTON,USA,Mar, 8 – The U.S. Department of State has designated former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Kioko as ‘persona non grata’ preventing him from ever setting foot into the United States Of America (USA).

In a designation order issued by the US Department of state Sonko was accused of involving himself in corruption and cited to have solicited for bribes and kickbacks in exchange for alleged awarding of county 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,” read a statement from the department of state issued on March.8,2022.

The designation is said to have been issued 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 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 US government said that the designations reaffirm their commitment to combatting corruption and supporting the rule of law while strengthening democratic institutions in Kenya.

“We will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally,”