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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Ranneberger obeys Wetangula

The travel ban saga climaxed Tuesday with US ambassador Michael Ranneberger obeying summons from foreign affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula.

During the meeting, Ranneberger handed over the 15 names of the officials in question and also agreed to toe the diplomatic line in future for the sake of the friendship between the two countries.

According to Wetang'ula, a few agreements were achieved during the meeting.

Ranneberger raised a lot of eyebrows last week when he announced in a press conference that his government had issued warning letters to 15 government officials who might face a travel ban to the US for hindering the reform agenda.

The matter has ruffled a few feathers including President Mwai Kibaki's who wrote a protest letter to US president Barrack Obama.

Leaders in the country maintain the threats were uncalled for since the reform agenda is already on course.

The European Union also threw it weight behind agitators of reforms in the country the civil society however supports the travel ban saying the 15 should be named and shamed for delaying reforms.

On the prosecution of post election violence suspects, Wetang'ula said the government was committed to ending impunity but welcome the International criminal court to institute prosecutions against suspected masterminds of the violence if it finds it necessary at the moment.

The polish government donated 100,000 us dollars to assist in mitigating the famine and drought situation currently affecting the country.

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