NAIROBI-KENYA/NEWSDAY: There is an escalation of tensions in the travel to Uganda ban row against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto as in yet another blow, the former’s Turkish alliy has been detained by Kenyan officials
Ruto is already a bitter man after officials blocked him from flying to Kampala for a ‘private visit’ early this week.
But in a new blow on Saturday, a Turkish investor Harun Aydin who had moved ahead of Ruto to Uganda was arrested at the airport, detained by immigration officials and later handed for interrogation to Kenya’s Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) detectives.
Ruto furiously said the act was an overboard behavior but authorities under which he work told him the Turkish men had to be questioned.
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Ruto criticised the arrest on his twitter page, and accused the government of ‘targeting investors.’
“Turkish investor,Aydin Harun, is a victim of top-down arrogance bred by patronage & cartels that criminalise enterprise.”
He added; “Importers’ goods declared contraband,Africa spirits closed, keroche harassed, now investor with valid papers labelled terrorist.Tragedy of political pettiness.”
After denying him travel to Uganda, Ruto protested accusing the Interior Ministry of orchestrating his frustrations despite him being second in command in government insisting he requires no clearance to travel anywhere.
“I have been a Deputy President for 9 years and I have traveled to many places. I have never been asked to produce clearance.” Ruto said.
He is a close ally of President Museveni with whom they have met several times the latest being last month. In 2016, Ruto campaigned for Museveni in the presidential elections.
Political analysts said the developments could signal a row between the deputy president and two presidents.
“Kenyatta being against the presidentil bid of Ruto yet Museveni is a former’s backer, all that takes to frustrate the two will be done,” the analyst preferring anonymity said.
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