DP Ruto Breaks Silence Over Arrest of Turkish Businessman

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

Deputy President William Ruto has broken his silence over the controversial arrest and detaining of the Turkish investor at Wilson Airport while returning from his trip to Uganda on Saturday, August 7.

Through his Twitter handle, DP Ruto has described the arrest as top-down arrogance which is being supported by cartels.

He termed the arrest as a move meant to criminalise enterprise, terming it as political pettiness.

Deputy President William Ruto disembarks a plane during a past trip.
Deputy President William Ruto disembarks a plane during a past trip.
Daily Nation

DP Ruto went further to share a copy of the Turks' alleged work permit.

"Turkish investor, Aydin Harun, is a victim of top-down arrogance bred by patronage and cartels that criminalise enterprise. Importers' goods declared contraband, Africa Spirits closed, Keroche harassed, now investor with valid papers labelled a terrorist. Tragedy of political pettiness," DP Ruto tweeted.

In an earlier interview on Wednesday, August 4, DP Ruto trashed claims that the Turkish Investor was a man of questionable character, adding that he was a respected businessman.

"Those claiming that this man is a terrorist are not only soiling his name but that of Kenya as a country," the DP stated.

The Turkish Embassy in Nairobi, according to the DP, defended the businessman saying that he was an investor who had been in Kenya on several occasions.

Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi was among DP Ruto allies who were pushing to know why the Turkish was arrested and detained. Accompanied by Lawyer Cliff Ombeta, they stated that the Turkish investor was being held by the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU). 

"He came from Uganda in the company of three others who were not arrested, he has been held and no explanations have been provided so far."

"Everybody has been blocked from getting inside the ATPU offices. The investor is being frustrated because of politics," the lawmaker wrote on his social media page.

He insisted that the arrest was a political witch-hunt against DP Ruto.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi with Turkish officials at Nairobi Area on August 7 2021
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi with Turkish officials at Nairobi Area on August 7 2021
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