US visa ban on prominent Kenyan official
October 27 2009 by Liam Clifford
Senior Kenyan official denied a US visa by US immigration.
US immigration officials have announced that they have imposed a visa ban on a high-profile Kenyan
official as a result of his moves to block reforms in the
country.
Johnnie Carson, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African
Affairs, made the announcement yesterday, stating: "Highlighting our seriousness
on the need for reforms in Kenya, I am announcing today that the US government
has taken the decision to revoke a visa of a senior Kenyan government official
who has obstructed the reform process, failed to end the cycle of impunity and
has been an obstacle in the fight against corruption."
Carson added that
the US immigration department was actively considering blocking US visas to
three other officials. He explained, “we want to work with the coalition
government to ensure implementation of reforms but there has been enough talk -
what we seek is action.”
The US says that these measures are intended to
highlight the country’s commitment to seeing through the implementation of
reforms in Kenya.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting in
Nairobi with government officials, Carson added in regards to the US visa, "this person probably has not
been informed yet and will be informed shortly.”
See the latest Immigration News
