Andrew Teyie And Ayub Savula
27 October 2005
Nairobi — The Government yesterday refused to be drawn into discussing Transport minister Chris Murungaru's ban by the United States even as reports indicated that 25 European Union countries had joined in blacklisting the politician.
Details of the EU ban remained scant last night, but one diplomatic source stated: "As far as we are concerned, it (ban) is as good as done. What we are waiting for is perhaps an official statement."
And Roads minister Raila Odinga jumped into the saga demanding that the Cabinet discuss the Murungaru matter.
"The matter is serious and should be discussed by the Cabinet and we should know the reasons. He is a senior Government official in the position of a minister," he said. Raila, who had been asked by journalists to comment on the matter, said he would do so when the Cabinet convened.
But he noted it was unlikely the meeting would be convened because ministers had been given time off to campaign for the November 21 referendum.
He spoke after a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Edward Wood.
Murungaru, who was only three months ago banned from entering the United Kingdom, was on Tuesday barred from ever stepping on US soil.
The reasons for the drastic action were not disclosed, but a US Government official cited a law that bars people linked to corruption from obtaining a visa. Yesterday, Murungaru's lawyer, Paul Muite, warned of a bitter fight to salvage the reputation and career of his client.
He said the minister's legal team had already activated attorneys in the US to see whether he could fight the Washington ban.
"I have asked lawyers in Washington to do a written opinion on whether the US law allows us to sue. He can then sue the US Government. If it is possible, we will move to court immediately," said Muite.
Murungaru on Tuesday reacted to the latest ban by saying the United Kingdom had put pressure on America.
The minister, who has sued the British Government over its July 21 ban, said the decision by the US Government coincided with a decision by the High Court of Justice in England granting him leave to proceed with Judiciary review proceedings.
But Wood denied the claim: "The US Government took the decision on its own. The matter over the UK ban on Murungaru is in court," he said.
Reacting to the latest ban, Central Province Kanu co-ordinator Geoffrey Gachagua urged President Kibaki to sack Murungaru "to salvage the country's image".
And at a Press conference yesterday, Foreign Affairs minister Chirau Mwakwere refused to talk about the ban. Mwakwere, who was flanked by Government spokesman Alfred Mutua, said there was no official communication from the US Embassy in Nairobi.
"We have no official communication from US on the issue. I have not read what you are talking about," said Mwakwere of the matter that made newspaper headlines yesterday.
He then turned the heat on a BBC journalist who had asked for the Government's reaction to the ban: "If you have any information like my colleague here seems to have, let me know. Tell us more about it."
Mwakwere had called journalists to react to a threat by the European Union to withhold budgetary support if the Procurement Bill was not enacted.
The minister accused the EU Head of Delegation, Mr Eric van Linden (who issued the threat), of belittling President Kibaki.
"The Government wishes to stress that all diplomats, without exception, would be advised to adhere to principles contained in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations," he said.
Mwakwere accused Van Linden of being rude: "There is no other country where donors insult the host. They can assist us, but not insult us. It is rude and undiplomatic to issue ultimatums to the Head of State."
An angry Mwakwere said donor support had not been factored in this year's budget. "And so will be the case with future budgets. They will not be pegged to donor funding."
At his meeting with Raila, Wood had stated: "We look forward to the Procurement Bill being signed into law soon".
He said the Bill was crucial because it would spur economic growth.
Raila had assured the envoy that the President would sign the Bill into law.
He said the Bill would also help his ministry to move fast on roads projects.
" There is no problem, the President is going to sign the Bill," Raila said.
He said that the Cabinet passed the Bill before it went to Parliament and he was sure that it would be signed into law soon.
" The Bill will help in the development of roads in the country after the concession and commissioning of the projects" he added.
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