Mike Sonko and his family banned from entering America

08 March 2022

• The US Department of State Anthony Blinken said Sonko and his family are ineligible to enter the country.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has been banned from entering the United States over alleged ‘significant’ corruption dealings.

The US department of State Anthony Blinken said Sonko and his family are ineligible to enter the country.

His family consists of his wife Primrose, daughters - Saumu, Salma,Sandra, and his minor child. All are illegible to enter the US.

“The US has credible information that Sonko was involved in corruption when he was the governor of Nairobi,” the department said on Tuesday.

“With this, the department affirms the need of accountability and transparency in Kenya.”

The department said the corruption dealings were out of kickbacks and irregularly awarding contracts for his personal gains.

“When he is designated, there are waivers unless there is significant evidence that will change this determination,” the State Department said.

The department said this is a determination made outside a court authority.

“I don’t know what his legal options are. But the determination is based on the law,” it added.

According to the United States, the Sonko matter is not politically instigated.

“This is an immigration matter for the US. It is about the United States and how it affects the US and foreign interests. We are focusing on the harm done in Kenya and it’s democracy. The decision was made based on who we think is illegible to travel to the United States.”

During his tenure as the Nairobi Governor, Sonko was once accused of using County funds to facilitate his daughter and wife’s trip to the United States of America – a claim he denied.

“My wife deposited personal cash. The trip was official and genuine because they were both part of the government delegation confirmed by State House,” he told the Senate in December 2020.

Apart from serving as a Member of Parliament, Senator and Governor, Mike Sonko has been doing philanthropic activities through the Sonko Rescue Team.

The Sonko Rescue team has been providing medical services, ambulance services, feeding the poor, settling hospital bills, and also helping Nairobians give a befitting send-off to their loved ones.

The former Governor has also proved to be a family man, who celebrates the achievements of his family members publicly. And when one of his loved ones becomes a year older, he celebrates them and throws a party.