10 Kenyans sought by US

A Kenyan Cabinet secretary and a controversial governor are among more than 10 prominent Kenyans that the US department of justice is investigating over allegations of taking bribes from the notorious Akasha drug family.

The 10 are what a local judicial source described as “most culpable”, although many more have been mentioned in the documents exchanged between Kenyan and the US law enforcement agencies, the Daily Nation reported yesterday.

Kenyan prosecutors are preparing to deal with their American counterparts’ requests, which are expected to be received by mid-December as transnational investigations into the 10 continue.

There is a strong possibility that the investigations may end in extradition proceedings so that the Kenyans can face charges in the US, the report says.

Two high court judges, two magistrates, a prosecutor, a senior criminal investigations officer and a prominent Rift Valley member of parliament appear on the Americans’ list in addition to the Cabinet secretary and the governor – who has been anecdotally linked to the criminal underworld and drug dealing.

Last month, Kenyans Baktash Akasha and his brother Ibrahim pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges, including the distribution of heroin and conspiracy to import drugs into the US when they faced a court in New York City. – ANA