ADVANCING THE REFORM PROCESS IN KENYA -- VISA

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000546 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV CONS KE PINR SUBJECT: ADVANCING THE REFORM PROCESS IN KENYA -- VISA REVOCATION UNCLASSIFIED -- ENTIRE TEXT. ¶1. As approved by Washington, we have found an individual ineligible under section 212f for engaging in official corruption. This step has been taken on the merits, and as part of continuing efforts to encourage coalition government action on the reform agenda, including specifically action against corruption. ¶2. The Ambassador held a press conference on March 17 to announce the decision. Text of his statement follows. Begin text: Today I am announcing that the United States has added another name to the list of those permanently ineligible to enter the U.S. due to engagement in official corruption. Under the provisions of U.S. Presidential Proclamation 7750, the United States Government reserves the right to suspend the entry into the United States of any non-American person &engaged in or benefiting from public official corruption.8 The United States has previously invoked this Proclamation on multiple occasions to bar the issuance of visa to Kenyan nationals. This statement is to announce that we have again invoked this authority, and have added another person to the list. Due to U.S. regulations regarding protection of privacy, we will not name the person. The person will soon be notified regarding the ineligibility. We also note that the authorities of the Proclamation can be used to extend ineligibility to the spouses and children of those found ineligible. This action again demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Government to stand by the side of the Kenyan people to end the culture of impunity. Those engaged in corruption must be held accountable. We note, in that regard, that applying the Proclamation is only one tool at our disposal. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Kenya, including collecting information on acts of corruption engaged in by public officials. A number of cases are under review. We will continue to apply our authority to suspend and deny visas as warranted. End Text. ¶3. We expect this step to receive extensive media coverage, and to have a constructive impact in highlighting U.S. commitment on reform and, potentially, in influencing some action by the coalition government. Visas to the U.S. are highly sought after and prized by Kenyans. In our experience, just the idea of possibly being denied a visa (or having one revoked) can be a powerful incentive for politicians and government officials to change their attitudes and behavior. RANNEBERGER