US Travel Ban Threat For Kenyans

The US has threatened to impose travel bans on 15 senior Kenyan officials if they fail to support the country's "reform agenda". Michael Ranneberger, the US ambassador in Nairobi, says letters have been sent to the officials urging them to back reforms and oppose the use of violence. In recent months the US has criticised Kenya for failing to investigate deadly violence after the 2007 election. Some 1,300 people died, but officials have resisted calls for a tribunal. The letter sent to the officials stated that the US "would not do business as usual with those who do not support reform or who support violence". In it, state department official Johnnie Carson urges Kenya to strengthen its institutions and eradicate corruption to avoid more violence after the next election in 2012.