KENYAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS, BUT PUBLIC APPLAUDS, UK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 003052

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2025
TAGS: PGOV PREL CVIS CLOK OFDP SNAR KPAO KCOR KE UK GM
SUBJECT: KENYAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS, BUT PUBLIC APPLAUDS, UK
TRAVEL BAN ON MINISTER MURUNGARU

REF: NAIROBI 2281

Classified By: A/DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick, for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: A just-announced UK travel ban on Minister
of Transport Murungaru has dominated the media, and provoked
a flurry of GOK criticisms of the UK, despite a quiet warning
to President Kibaki six weeks ago. Most Kenyans, however,
are cheering at this diplomatic slap against the government's
top corruption-meister. European countries are considering
following London's lead, and the Embassy is preparing its own
case against Murungaru for the Department's consideration
(septel). END SUMMARY.


2. (C) The British High Commission informed Transport
Minister "Chris" Murungaru by letter July 26 that he will not
be allowed to travel to the UK, as the Home Secretary has
determined that his presence is "not conducive to the public
good" due to "his character, conduct, and associations."
There is no right of appeal. On the same day, the High
Commission informed the airlines that Murungaru's visa had
been canceled and he was not to be boarded on flights to the
UK (not even as a transit passenger). Then-High Commissioner
Clay, in his one-on-one farewell call on President Kibaki in
mid-June, privately let the President know this action was
coming.


3. (U) The Kenyan Government's counter-attack dominated July
28-29 media. Major papers stated that the GOK "condemns,"
"is furious" over, or "demands reasons" for the British
action. "The Standard" noted that opposition KANU MP Charles
Keter "asked the government to confirm whether five other
ministers are also likely to face the same wrath." All
papers drew a likely connection to corruption allegations,
while noting that the notification to the airlines did not
specify the reason for the ban. Among government reactions
reported: Vice President Moody Awori said he was "terribly
upset," while Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mwakwere
criticized the British for not treating Murungaru "with the
respect due" to a cabinet minister, and complained about a
lack of formal communication. Kenya Government Spokesman
Alfred Mutua said the government is "demanding an official
detailed explanation from the UK government." The lead
editorials in four major daily newspapers July 29 were
critical of the UK's lack of public explanation for the
decision. Talk radio suggests broad and deep public support
for the UK move -- and that the public already knows
all-too-well why his visa was pulled.


4. (C) A number of European diplomatic colleagues have been
calling both us and the British, voicing support and letting
us know they are considering similar actions against
Murungaru. The Germans in particular have told us they are
likely to follow the British lead. The Swiss are among
others actively considering a similar move in solidarity to
the UK decision. A number of Kenyans who have called Embassy
staff have asked, "is it because of the cocaine?" (a
reference to the more than one ton of cocaine seized here
last December; reftel).


5. (C) The Embassy anticipates receiving a visa application
from Minister Murungaru, who has been invited to attend a
U.S.-Africa Transportation conference in Miami in October.
(In fact, one of his sons, Mark, may well be studying
currently in the United States.) Based on the British action
and our own concerns about Murungaru's continuing actions,
the Embassy has been preparing a recommendation of
ineligibility for the Department's consideration, which will
be transmitted separately.


6. (C) COMMENT: The British case against Murungaru is quite
strong -- even had it been based narrowly and just on his
illicit activities during his most recent travel to Britain
alone. While the comparison with the 2004 U.S. action
denying a visa to Moi-era Minister Nicholas Biwott is an
obvious one, the British action (and ours should we now
follow their lead) is even stronger in that it targets a
sitting cabinet minister. After all our comments on the cost
of high-level corruption to the people of Kenya, we owe it to
Kenyans to take Murungaru's actions seriously not despite,
but because of, our close relationship with and good wishes
for Kenya. END COMMENT.
BELLAMY