The news of Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto being denied access to Uganda has left many perplexed!
Ruto was last spotted In Uganda on official business on July 7 to lay a foundation for the multi-billion Biological Drugs and mRNA Vaccine manufacturing facility at Matugga in Wakiso District.
He was alongside President Museveni and the two leaders seemed to have more than just that official business.
The two retreated to a statehouse private meeting that was reportedly dominated by President Museveni’s dream of an East African political federation and trade relations between Kenya and Uganda.
On Monday, Ruto was plucked from a private chartered Cessna 560XL jet moments before it would set off from Kenya to Uganda on a private trip.
Armed men approached the Vice president and unusually demanded that he gets clearance before he can pursue his private business.
“When he got to the airport, he was asked to seek clearance from Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet. We are surprised. In all his travels, all these years, this has not happened.”Ruto’s private secretary David Mugonyi said.
According to the government’s travel procedure, any member of the Cabinet who wishes to travel out of the country should get approval from the State House before doing so.
Ruto’s planned trips come at a time when neighboring Kenya is propping up for general elections in 2022.
Museveni and Ruto’s affair dates back to 2015 when the latter campaigned for Museveni in Kapchorwa ahead of the 2016 general polls.
Ruto has also hosted a number of foreign envoys at his official Nairobi residence, including the US ambassador and the British High Commissioner to Kenya.
Ruto fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta after Uhuru seemed to have shaken hands with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to run for the presidency next year.
Ruto has since quit the ruling Jubilee Party, and will most likely run as an independent candidate aganist Odinga who has been deemed his major rival.
