Deputy President William Ruto Speaks Out After Failed Trip to Uganda

Deputy President William Ruto has spoken out following his botched trip to Uganda on Monday.

Ruto was slated to fly to the neighboring country on a private trip but was barred from boarding a private jet at Wilson Airport where he was stranded for five hours.

He was forced to cancel the trip as immigration officials at the airport insisted he must obtain a clearance from President Kenyatta as required of all State officers.

But in an interview on Wednesday, the deputy president noted that the incident was part of a scheme by his detractors to lure him into a confrontation with President Uhuru.

“For four years, people have been saying things to me — Oh I don’t know Ruto is competing with the President, I don’t know he has disrespected the President… All these things I have denied. Even that to stop Wilson is to put me in a position to argue with them. I have left them to God,” he told Inooro FM.

Ruto disclosed that he was set to meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, adding that the meeting went ahead as planned despite his absence.

At the same time, Ruto defended the presence of Turkish businessman Harun Aydin, who has been linked to terrorism activities.

Ruto said Aydin, who was part of his entourage to Uganda, is a well-known investor as confirmed by the Turkish embassy in Nairobi.

“The Turkish embassy itself has issued a statement saying he is a recognized businessman and has a work permit. There are those who want to destroy saying he is a terrorist,” he added.

The deputy president insisted that he is under no obligation to disclose details of his private trips to anyone.

“Now will I be announcing the whole of Kenya going to do my own business? President Museveni is a friend of the President of Kenya and also a friend of mine. I have campaigned for him in Uganda. I’m not entitled to friends?” he posed.