The US government has ignored a protest letter by President Kibaki and struck again.

The superpower dispatched Mr Johnnie Carson, the high-ranking official whose actions led to the protest, to Nairobi.

His message: One more Kenyan top official is banned from stepping on US soil and three more will soon be on the list of unwanted persons.

Earlier, the US promoted its regional envoy, Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, even as Kenya demanded his recall.

President Barack Obama’s administration continues to pile pressure on Kenya to fast-track implementation of constitutional reforms.

Mr Carson’s visit comes just days before the International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo jets in for what could be ground-breaking talks on post-election violence trials.

The US State Department official’s news could send the chills down the spines of some government officials and Cabinet ministers.

This is a step from the earlier written threat of visa denial or cancellation to 15 politicians.

Though the US Government did not say the new man on its blacklist was Attorney-General Amos Wako, Carson spared some unflattering words for Kenya’s long-serving government legal advisor. He accused him of overseeing an inept Judiciary and standing in the path of reforms.

Similar action

Ranneberger, who accompanied Carson to a press briefing, offered hints on who had been banned, describing him as, "a very influential person, who travels widely, has obstructed reforms and encouraged impunity and is an obstacle in the fight against corruption."

He added: "The individual will no longer travel to the US. We hope other governments will see what we have done and take similar action."

Contacted last night, Wako told The Standard: "I have not received any letter. In the event I do, I shall prepare my response and call a press conference."

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson at the US Embassy, Monday where he delivered a message from President Obama on the need to enact reforms and end impunity and corruption. [PHOTO: MBUGUA KIBERA/Standard]

America’s strategy now appears to be the drawing of a fine line between reformists and conservatives against whom international action would be brought to bear.

"Not everyone in government is an obstacle to Agenda Four. We have focused our attention on individuals who have not used their offices well. We have had enough talk, we want action," said Carson.

Yesterday’s action, was yet another indication that Kenya is still on the radar of the international community eager to ensure she moves farther away from the precipice of the kind of chaos witnessed in the last General Election before 2012.

"I am in Kenya to deliver a clear message from President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the need to urgently enact reforms, end the culture of impunity and corruption," Carson said.

His message was consistent with Obama’s own strong approach to Kenya’s governance problems and the scary prospect of a return of violence in 2012. It also rekindled his avowed impatience with the intransigence and dictatorial tendencies of African leaders as per his many statements, including the one in Ghana in July.

It was in Accra that he said: "Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change Constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions."

Carson’s statement would also refresh the memory of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s message when she last was in Kenya: "Listen to him (Obama) he is your son. He cares deeply about this country. It is very touching and moving to me to see the feelings of kinship and relationship that exists between the people of Kenya and our President."

Unrelenting pressure

Without doubt Obama’s latest action, as well as Chief Mediator Kofi Annan’s visit this month, as well as Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s on November 5, are choreographed and dovetails with the unrelenting pressure from the European Union and Canada.

Carson spoke soon after arriving in Nairobi ahead of Moreno-Ocampo’s meeting with Kibaki and Raila on tackling impunity.

"I am in Kenya to deliver a clear message from President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the need to urgently enact reforms, end the culture of impunity and corruption," Carson said.

He went on: "Obama wants the Grand Coalition Government to implement reforms to ensure democracy and long term stability." He also announced the revocation of yet another top Government official’s visa as the push for reforms intensified.

Carson further warned people can no longer get away with impunity and corruption and demanded action on those bearing responsibility for post-election violence immediately.

He added: "We will maintain and steadily increase pressure for implementation of reforms."

Carson said unless reforms were carried out with speed, the country would be revisited by the cycle of violence which gripped the country after the disputed election in 2007.

Earlier, Carson met with Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and MPs Olago Aluoch and Bonny Khalwale.

Diplomatic etiquette

Carson’s pronouncements displayed open defiance to Kibaki’s protest last month after Ranneberger’s announcement that 15 Government officials had received letters warning them they risked being banned from traveling to the US should they dither in the reform agenda.

Kibaki is reported to have written to US President Barack Obama for intimidation of Government officers, and the ambassador’s departure from diplomatic etiquette.

"Over the last 15 years, a number of grand scandals from Anglo-leasing dating back to Goldenberg in which billions of shillings were lost," Carson said as he worked on Wako.

"The sad thing is the people who are charged with responsibility of prosecuting the cases never acted on a single individual," he said.

"The Attorney General’s office and the Judiciary failed in their responsibilities. The money would have been used to build hospitals, roads and schools but it was lost," Carson said, adding that names of officers banned shall be made public in due course.

Carson added: "Urgent action must be taken against post election violence suspects, on corruption, Judiciary and bring meaningful constitutional reforms in Kenya."

So far only three recipients of the letters have publicly admitted receiving letters. These are Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo, joint Government Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo and deputy chief whip Johnstone Muthama.

Carson lauded the recent changes in the Police and the developments in the Kenya Anti-Corrution Commission but called for far reaching reforms.

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