Deputy President William Ruto has broken his silence over the dramatic events at the Wilson Airport on Monday, August 2 that saw him blocked from leaving the country.
In an interview on Inooro FM on Wednesday, August 4, the Deputy President - although evasive - detailed the intrigues behind his aborted trip to Kampala.
Ruto said the decision to deny him authority to leave the country was politically instigated following the emergent leadership differences between him and pro-President Uhuru Kenyatta allies.
He argued that the President allies acted maliciously and are out to frustrate and humiliate him as a person and holder of the office of the Deputy President.
The DP further pointed that the decision to block him was aimed at creating animosity between him and the President, saying that he will not fall into that trip.
“I am entitled to my rights as a person. I know my status as the country’s DP. I have never been asked to seek permission and clearance from the said individuals and offices before," said Ruto.
“Since when did I start seeking permission? I have been the DP for nine years and I have travelled far and wide across East Africa and the world and I have never been asked for clearance. Why should it start on Monday?”
Citing the purge effected on his allies in Parliament, National Government and the Jubilee Party, Ruto added that in the past years, his camp has been subjected to all manner of frustrations. He also admitted to being isolated from Uhuru’s inner circle.
The DP stated that this plot was hatched long ago after Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga entered into a gentleman’s agreement in the famous March 2018 handshake.
Raila's union with Uhuru, he claimed, affected his (Ruto) relationship with Uhuru. However, he lamented that his rivals had crossed boundaries by failing to differentiate government and personal affairs.
“They are now blocking me from conducting my private businesses. I was not travelling to Uganda for a government assignment. No! I was going to discuss my personal issues and future plans," he explained.
“I aborted the journey and moved on. What was to happen in Uganda went on without my presence. The world has moved on. I won’t accept being used to create tension in government. These people (alleged foes) have always tried to pin the blame on me saying that I am fighting the President, I am competing with him and whatever.”
“Namwachia Mungu! (I leave it to God),” he added.
The DP argued that Kenyans do not need visas and passports to travel to Uganda and that the two countries benefit from free trade and movement adding that Kenya was retrogressing by barring him from travelling to the neighbouring country.
He also clarified reports linking him to a controversial Turkish businessman who was part of his entourage.
“The Turkish Embassy released a statement clarifying that the said person is an investor. Look at how we are embarrassing ourselves as a country, forcing the Turkish Embassy to issue a response. How will the investor perceive such notions? This is how we destroy our own nation,” Ruto added.
