Obama sanctions Mwau on narcotics

The directive by Mr Obama against the two also included five other individuals from Mexico, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The sanctions are contained in a report sent by President Obama to the US Congress dated June 1, 2011.

"This report to the Congress, under section 804(a) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1901-1908 (the "Kingpin Act"), transmits my designations of the following seven foreign individuals as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act and reports my direction of sanctions against them under the Act: Manuel Torres Felix (Mexico), Gonzalo Inzunza Inzunza (Mexico), Haji Lal Jan Ishaqzai (Afghanistan), Kamchybek Asanbekovich Kolbayev (Kyrgyzstan), John Harun Mwau (Kenya), Naima Mohamed Nyakiniywa (Kenya), Javier Antonio Calle Serna (Colombia)."

Under the US laws, the Kingpin Act blocks all property and interests in property, subject to US jurisdiction, owned or controlled by significant foreign narcotics traffickers as identified by the President.

A brief on the US Treasury's official website states the Kingpin Act blocks the property and interests in property, subject to US jurisdiction, of foreign persons designated by the Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Secretary of Defence, and the Secretary of State, who are found to be: (1) materially assisting in, or providing financial or technological support for or to, or providing goods or services in support of, the international narcotics trafficking activities of a person designated pursuant to the Kingpin Act.

In addition; (2) owned, controlled, or directed by, or acting for or on behalf of, a person designated pursuant to the Kingpin Act; or (3) playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking.

Mr Mwau is among four Members of Parliament who were investigated over drug trafficking allegations by police last year and a report tabled in Parliament exonerated them from the illegal trade.

He was probed alongside Gidion Mbuvi (Makadara), Hassan Joho (Kisauni) and William Kabogo of Juja.

Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti later announced that the report he presented in Parliament was a preliminary document, implying that an investigation against them was still underway.

Former US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger earlier this year told Capital News that investigators from America were in Kenya assisting local police in the drug trafficking investigations against the MPs and other individuals suspected to traffick in narcotics.

Soon after the report was tabled in Parliament, the legislators mentioned in it vigorously fought to have their names expunged, saying they impacted negatively to their reputations as Members of Parliament and businessmen.