NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenya’s Deputy
President, William Ruto was set for a private trip from Kenya to Uganda, the
second time in a month, but was stopped by the immigration officers at the
airport on Monday.President Uhuru Kenyatta(L) and his Deputy William Ruto
Local media reported
that immigration officials insisted that Ruto had to get clearance from the Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto was traveling
alongside the other three members of parliament who first denied clearance but
were later allowed to fly.
Reports further
indicated that among other passengers was the presence of a Turkish businessman
by the name Harun Aydin.
Harun Aydin, 29, was
arrested in Germany while he was a student. It was alleged that he was among
the leading members of the militant group based in Cologne known as the “Caliph
of the Cologne”.
The group wanted to
unite the Islamic world in a single caliphate based in a liberated Istanbul.
Harun Aydin was among
the passengers that intended to fly together with Kenya’s Deputy President
William Ruto to the neighboring country, Uganda.Harun Aydin
Authorities in Kenya
were aroused by Aydin’s frequent trips to the country from Istanbul, Cairo, and
Addis Ababa.
Local media reports
indicate that Aydin has made several visits alongside Kenya’s Deputy President
including his last trip to Zanzibar and also in a previous visit to Uganda.
Kenya’s news wave on
Monday evening was dominated by the fact that the government had barred Ruto,
whose relation with the current President Uhuru Kenyatta has turned sour.
The duo was considered
close allies when they won Kenya’s election both in 2013 and 2017 with Ruto
depicting utmost solid support to Kenyatta hoping to be backed up in the
forthcoming national election.
Kenyatta who is
ineligible to stand is alleged to be backing former Prime Minister and veteran
opposition leader Raila Odinga, against an old understanding with his deputy.
Ruto has linked this
recent move to political humiliation terming it cowardice of his foes.
“I have been stopped
from flying to Uganda because the system believes only the children of the rich
and famous can fly to foreign countries and dine with Presidents. But we have
God and we will overcome. I am putting the tribalists and dynasties on notice
that our patience has run out and we will not take any more humiliation. Let
them face me openly instead of hiding behind their lowly serfs the civil
service,” Ruto said.
No comments:
Post a Comment