4 November 2009
Nairobi — Kenya's Attorney General Amos Wako has signalled his intention to sue the United States for defamation.
Mr Wako said that he had "received notification that my visa has been revoked for blocking reforms," more than a week after the US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jonnie Carson said his country had banned a senior Kenya Government for blocking reforms.
Mr Carson, however, withheld the name of the banned official only saying he was of "influence" and his duties required extensive travel.
Addressing a news conference at his Sheria House office, Mr Wako said the ban due to "engaging in corrupt actions that have adversely affected the interests of the US," were off the mark and amounted to defaming him.
The AG said that he will seek legal redress in the US adding "I will take the fight there."
"While I am totally indifferent to the revocation of my visa and have absolutely no desire to visit the US, my intention is to seek legal action with a view to institute legal proceedings in the US," said Mr Wako.
He added that he has always kept the fire of reforms burning within government adding that he was an "adviser and not a decision maker."
Speculation had been rife that Mr Wako was the latest US target after Mr Carson's announcement coming on the back on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Kenya visit, where she impressed on the Kenya leadership to push for reforms.
She is understood to have said told Kenya's principals- President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga- that changes were required in the police, judiciary and the State Law Office.
Former Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali has since been transferred to the post office while Chief Justice Evans Gicheru remains in office.
"For 15 years, grand corruption has reigned such as Anglo Leasing but not one top officer has been found guilty. Millions of dollars that could have been used to build schools have disappeared and the Attorney-General and the Judiciary are responsible," Mr Carson said at the time.
Mr Wako has served for a record 18 years since he was appointed AG by former President Moi in 1991. He has been widely criticised for failing to prosecute corruption cases during his tenure.
Only recently, he entered nolle prosequi (terminate a case) in two cases involving outlawed Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga.
Mr Njenga was accused of killing 29 people in Mathira, Central Kenya in a revenge Mungiki attack earlier in the year.
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