Ruto Blocked From Flying to Uganda

Deputy President William Ruto.
Deputy President William Ruto.
The Standard

Deputy President William Ruto was on Monday, August 2, blocked from leaving the country and flying to Uganda via the Wilson Airport. 

Local media quoted the DP's spokesperson, David Mugonyi, indicating that Ruto was stopped by the security team at Wilson Airport and asked for clearance from Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua. 

His entourage -which included Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was, however, cleared to board the commercial flight to Entebbe International Airport. 

Digital Strategist Denis Itumbi, an associate of the DP,  told Kenyans.co.ke that the requirement was suspect as the Deputy President had never been required to seek clearance since taking office in 2013. 

Deputy President William Ruto, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, another delegate, David Langat and President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda.
Deputy President William Ruto, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, another delegate, David Langat, and President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda on June 7, 2021.
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Itumbi further indicated that the trip was private and had nothing to do with his official duties. 

Senior civil servants are legally bound to seek travel clearance when leaving the country - although it is not clear whether the DP is subject to the requirement.

Minutes later, the DP took to Twitter, seemingly in a rejoinder, to express his sentiments on the matter.

"It's alright..let's leave it to God," he tweeted.

Sources indicate that the DP spent a few hours at the airport in a bid to have his documents verified for the trip before finally giving up.

Ruto has been a frequent visitor to Uganda. Recently, the DP was invited to Uganda on July 7, 2021, where he met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

In this visit, he joined Museveni in laying the foundation stone for the Biological Drugs and mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility at Matuga-Wakiso District.

In his address, the DP said that he was keen on building partnerships with other African countries in a bid to drive the continent towards the restructuring of its market to focus on upstream production.

In December 2019, the DP visited Musei in Nakasero State House where he was accompanied by his lieutenants where they held a three-hour meeting.

However, no details were provided on the agenda or the outcome of this meeting to the public.

Ruto was keen to campaign for Museveni in the 2015 elections in the districts of Kapchorua and Bukwo located in the east of Uganda.

This action elicited mixed feelings among Ugandans, with some indicating that the DP was meddling in the affairs of Uganda.

William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni
William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni
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