U.S. threatens to ban eight Kenyans over violence

By Wangui Kanina

NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United States has warned eight Kenyans it could bar their entry on suspicion of stoking the violence that has convulsed the country since President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election, officials said on Thursday.

The move came as pressure mounted on Kenya's feuding parties to resolve a crisis triggered by the December 27 polls that has killed more than 1,000 people and uprooted some 300,000 others.

The U.S. ambassador to Nairobi sent letters on February 5 to the politicians and business leaders -- described by a U.S. official as "regional figures" suspected of inciting the chaos -- telling them that their visas were under review.

"It's a very clear warning to them that their actions have put them in jeopardy of losing their visas," said State Department spokesman Tom Casey. "We are going to continue to evaluate these cases over the next few days here to see whether in fact they ought to have their visas revoked."

He did not give names. Earlier on Thursday, U.S. embassy officials in Nairobi said Washington had barred entry to 10 Kenyans -- five politicians and the rest business people.

The violence has shattered Kenya's image of stability, horrifying locals, neighboring states and world powers alike.

Western states have used such moves before against African corruption suspects, including politicians. Those targeted tend to spurn the sanctions as a neo-colonialist weapon.

"I have not received any letter and even if I received it, I would write back 'Heaven is not in your country, it is right here in my country,'" Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Martha Karua, one of Kibaki's toughest backers, told reporters.

Canada has threatened to ban politicians guilty of stoking tribal violence, and diplomats say Britain may do the same.

Those warned were "individuals from both sides, both major political movements, who have some standing in their parties and who we feel have been unhelpful", said a U.S. official, who wished not to be named.

Kenya has taken its own steps against a former British envoy to Nairobi, Edward Clay, declaring him persona non grata after his tenure ended and he bought property there. Clay is a vocal critic of corruption in Kenya.

TALKS PROCEED

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is leading international mediation efforts in Nairobi, where officials from both parties met on Thursday for more talks.

A string of outside diplomats also came through, including European Union aid chief Louis Michel, who met with Annan, Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

"A little bit of goodwill from both sides and an agreement is possible, a good agreement to tackle the root causes of the situation," Michel said, adding an earlier EU threat of sanctions should not be discussed while talks were ongoing.