Mike Sonko Claims US Has Lifted His Travel Ban

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko announced Tuesday, May 20, via his X account that the United States has reportedly reversed a travel ban imposed on him three years ago. 

The ban, initially enacted under President Joe Biden in 2022, had barred Sonko and his immediate family from entering the US due to allegations of corruption during his tenure as governor. Sonko attributes the reversal to the administration of former US President Donald Trump and vowed to disclose further details. As of press time, the US government has not issued an official statement confirming the revocation.

The US Department of State initially invoked Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act to implement the ban. This provision allows for the designation of foreign officials implicated in significant corruption, rendering them ineligible for US entry. At the time, the US government accused Sonko of demanding bribes in exchange for awarding public contracts. 

Eric Watnik, then Counsellor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Nairobi, stated the action was part of broader efforts to combat corruption within Kenya's political landscape, highlighting the impact on Sonko's wife and daughters to underscore Washington's stance on family accountability in government-related financial impropriety.

Sonko has consistently maintained the ban was politically motivated, alleging that unnamed corrupt officials within Kenya orchestrated his exclusion in 2022. He refuted the allegations of corruption, stating neither he nor his relatives benefited from any illicit dealings during his time in office. Sonko criticised the US for allegedly overlooking deeper cases of graft within Kenya. 

“None of my family members was ever awarded any tender by the county when I was in office, and it is in the public domain. The Embassy should come out publicly and tell Kenyans the truth,” Sonko asserted, following the initial imposition of the ban.

Sonko's tenure as governor was marked by controversy and scrutinised for allegations of mismanagement and financial misconduct, leading to his removal from office. The former governor remains a polarising figure in Kenyan politics. Supporters view him as a victim of political persecution, while critics contend his administration was plagued by financial irregularities, warranting accountability.

The lack of official confirmation from the US government has spurred speculation regarding the basis for the alleged reversal. Potential factors could include changes in diplomatic relations, possibly linked to shifts in leadership during the Trump administration.