KENYA: LINKING VISAS TO VIOLENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000378 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2028 TAGS: CVIS PGOV KCOR PREL KDEM KE SUBJECT: KENYA: LINKING VISAS TO VIOLENCE Classified by: Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) To follow up on recent statements by Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer and the Ambassador indicating that the Department will review the visa eligibility of Kenyan politicians and businessmen suspected of supporting, inciting, or perpetrating violence in Kenya, Post delivered eight letters on February 5, signed by the Ambassador, to the following individuals: -- Richard Ngatia, businessman with PNU links suspected of funding Kikuyu youth groups engaged in violence. -- Njenga Karume, former minster with PNU ties suspected of having links to the Mungiki (Kikuyu mafia) and other related criminal organizations. -- John Mututho, PNU MP for Naivasha suspected of funding Kikuyu youth engaged in ethnic violence. -- Joshua Kullei, businessman with ODM ties suspected of financing Kalenjin youth groups engaged in ethnic violence. -- Henry Kosgei, ODM MP for Tinderet suspected of supporting Kalenjin youth groups engaged in violence. -- William ole Ntimana, ODM MP for Narok North, suspected of inciting inter-ethnic violence. -- Zakayo Cheruiyuot, ODM MP for Kuresoi, suspected of inciting inter-ethnic violence. -- Kabando wa Kabando, ODM MP for Mukurweini, suspectd of organizing and inciting inter-ethnic violence. ¶2. (C) Text of the letter to the above eight individuals follows below: February 4, 2008 Dear (Name): This is to notify you that indications you may be involved in supporting, inciting, and perpetrating inter-ethnic violence in Kenya are relevant to your and your family's eligibility for U.S. visas. The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act provides for the denial of visas to individuals for a variety of reasons. The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to make such a determination and reserves the right to suspend action on a visa application until such time that a determination of an individual's visa eligibility can be made. We request any and all information from you in writing detailing your efforts to promote an end to violence and the achievement of political and ethnic reconciliation in Kenya. Sincerely yours, Michael E. Ranneberger Ambassador ¶3. (C) Post will convey identical letters to additional individuals in Kenya as warranted. Ranneberger