Kenyans linked to drug trade banned from UK

Friday, 25 March 2011 00:02 BY MAUREEN MUDI

REVELATION: British High Commissioner Rob Macaire with KPA MD Gichiri Ndua in Mombasa yesterday.

The British government has banned a number of Kenyans from entering the country over drug trafficking claims. British High Commissioner Rob Macaire however said he could not divulge the details of those banned, since "it is a matter between us and the individuals".Macaire said his government has now partnered with American and the Kenyan police to tackle drug trafficking in the country.
Without divulging details, the Macaire said they have a list of people barred from travelling to UK, which keeps on changing. “I don’t want to discuss about their names, or who they are, but we sure have them and keep on reviewing the same periodically in light of the information that comes to the UK’s attention,” he said.
Macaire was speaking at the Muslims Education Welfare Association while on a three-day tour to Mombasa. He said Britain's partnership with the relevant authorities will ensure that the drugs problem is tackled once and for all. “We are looking at the imports, usage share and transit of the illegal drugs through Kenya and doing everything within our means to help,” Macaire said.
The official expressed concern that drug use poses a serious problem in Kenya, especially along the Coast, and his government does not take lightly any information and allegations, revolving around drugs.“Any evidence around the involvement of senior people that are implicated in the drugs trade really interests us and we handle it with utmost concern,” he said. Macaire said the UK is keen to assist Kenya in countering piracy, cyber crime and terrorism.
His statement comes months after the US government announced that it had a list of names of individuals banned from the country over drug trafficking.
Internal Security minister George Saitoti released a list of those being investigated over drug trafficking, including Kisauni MP Ali Hassan Joho, Juja MP William Kabogo, Kilome MP Harun Mwau, Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi and Mombasa based businessman Ali Punjani.
Saitoti has however since told Parliament that so far, police had found no evidence linking any of these people to drug trafficking.