In March 2022, the United States government has banned former Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko and his family from ever travelling to America.

The ban which took effect on March 8, 2022 was made by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken through the Department of State.

“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 ban report said.

“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 department alleged that the US has credible information that Sonko was involved in corruption when he was the governor of Nairobi.

“With this, the department affirms the need of accountability and transparency in Kenya,” said Eric Watnik, the Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the US embassy in Nairobi.

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Eric added that Sonko would have a few options to contest the ban by appealing to the Secretary of State. “When he is designated, there are waivers unless there is significant evidence that will change this determination,” he said.

The department said this was a determination made outside a court authority. “I don’t know what his legal options are. But the determination is based on the immigration law,” he added.

“This is an immigration matter for the US. It is about the United States and how it affects the US and foreign interests.”

The department was quick to deny that the move to ban Sonko was politically motivated. “We are focusing on the harm done in Kenya and its democracy. The decision was made based on who we think is illegible to travel to the United States,” Eric said.