US embassy cable - 05NAIROBI3052

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 003052 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2025 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, CVIS, CLOK, OFDP, SNAR, KPAO, KCOR, KE, UK, GM, Murungaru 
SUBJECT: KENYAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS, BUT PUBLIC APPLAUDS, UK 
TRAVEL BAN ON MINISTER MURUNGARU 
 
REF: NAIROBI 2281 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick, for reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  A just-announced UK travel ban on Minister 
of Transport Murungaru has dominated the media, and provoked 
a flurry of GOK criticisms of the UK, despite a quiet warning 
to President Kibaki six weeks ago.  Most Kenyans, however, 
are cheering at this diplomatic slap against the government's 
top corruption-meister.  European countries are considering 
following London's lead, and the Embassy is preparing its own 
case against Murungaru for the Department's consideration 
(septel).  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) The British High Commission informed Transport 
Minister "Chris" Murungaru by letter July 26 that he will not 
be allowed to travel to the UK, as the Home Secretary has 
determined that his presence is "not conducive to the public 
good" due to "his character, conduct, and associations." 
There is no right of appeal.  On the same day, the High 
Commission informed the airlines that Murungaru's visa had 
been canceled and he was not to be boarded on flights to the 
UK (not even as a transit passenger).  Then-High Commissioner 
Clay, in his one-on-one farewell call on President Kibaki in 
mid-June, privately let the President know this action was 
coming. 
 
3. (U) The Kenyan Government's counter-attack dominated July 
28-29 media.  Major papers stated that the GOK "condemns," 
"is furious" over, or "demands reasons" for the British 
action.  "The Standard" noted that opposition KANU MP Charles 
Keter "asked the government to confirm whether five other 
ministers are also likely to face the same wrath."  All 
papers drew a likely connection to corruption allegations, 
while noting that the notification to the airlines did not 
specify the reason for the ban.  Among government reactions 
reported: Vice President Moody Awori said he was "terribly 
upset," while Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mwakwere 
criticized the British for not treating Murungaru "with the 
respect due" to a cabinet minister, and complained about a 
lack of formal communication.  Kenya Government Spokesman 
Alfred Mutua said the government is "demanding an official 
detailed explanation from the UK government."  The lead 
editorials in four major daily newspapers July 29 were 
critical of the UK's lack of public explanation for the 
decision.  Talk radio suggests broad and deep public support 
for the UK move -- and that the public already knows 
all-too-well why his visa was pulled. 
 
4. (C) A number of European diplomatic colleagues have been 
calling both us and the British, voicing support and letting 
us know they are considering similar actions against 
Murungaru.  The Germans in particular have told us they are 
likely to follow the British lead.  The Swiss are among 
others actively considering a similar move in solidarity to 
the UK decision.  A number of Kenyans who have called Embassy 
staff have asked, "is it because of the cocaine?" (a 
reference to the more than one ton of cocaine seized here 
last December; reftel). 
 
5. (C) The Embassy anticipates receiving a visa application 
from Minister Murungaru, who has been invited to attend a 
U.S.-Africa Transportation conference in Miami in October. 
(In fact, one of his sons, Mark, may well be studying 
currently in the United States.)  Based on the British action 
and our own concerns about Murungaru's continuing actions, 
the Embassy has been preparing a recommendation of 
ineligibility for the Department's consideration, which will 
be transmitted separately. 
 
6. (C) COMMENT:  The British case against Murungaru is quite 
strong -- even had it been based narrowly and just on his 
illicit activities during his most recent travel to Britain 
alone.  While the comparison with the 2004 U.S. action 
denying a visa to Moi-era Minister Nicholas Biwott is an 
obvious one, the British action (and ours should we now 
follow their lead) is even stronger in that it targets a 
sitting cabinet minister.  After all our comments on the cost 
of high-level corruption to the people of Kenya, we owe it to 
Kenyans to take Murungaru's actions seriously not despite, 
but because of, our close relationship with and good wishes 
for Kenya.  END COMMENT. 
BELLAMY