Ruto allies furious over DP's aborted trip to Uganda

MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto have castigated the State for blocking the country's second in command from travelling to Uganda.

Ruto was set for a private trip to the neighbouring country — the second time in a month — but was blocked by immigration officials at Wilson Airport. 

Immigration officials insisted Ruto had to get clearance from President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Via social media on Tuesday, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said the DP has never required permission to travel.

"The Deputy President has never ever required any clearance to travel out of the country. There is NO law/regulation requiring him to seek clearance before travel for any public or private engagement," he said.

"What happened today is a sheer act of impunity and gross violation of the Constitution."

Murkomen claimed that the President was revenging on his deputy because of the recent Kiambaa by-election loss.

"What happened to fair play? The President has blocked the DP from performing his official duties & now he is blocking him from his private engagements. This is a ridiculous show of deep sense of insecurity and tactlessness," he said.

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika said in his nine years as the DP, Ruto has never required clearance to travel. 

"Why now? You can keep on humiliating him but remember power is transient and a year from now you will be on your way out and the People of Kenya will decide their destiny without your input!" she said.

Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga condemned the move, saying that it was the extent the deep state can go to frustrate the DP.

"You don't have to agree with someone or subscribe to the same political ideology to protect fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in our Constitution," she said.

"When the executive misuses its powers we must all call its bluff, including when they humiliate a sitting deputy president."

Soy MP Caleb Kositany also weighed on the matter saying that all shall be well.

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.

In Ruto's entourage were MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Oscar Sudi (Kapsaret) and Benjamin Tayari (Kinango).

Others were Harun Aydin, Mombasa businessman David Lagat, Eric Ruto and Elijah Rono. 

Sources said the MPs were the first to be blocked.

However, when a call was put to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, he cleared them, saying his office had nothing to do with a private visit.

The MPs and Ruto’s friends were then cleared to travel. However, Ruto was not.

The matter was a political hot potato with none of the government officials willing to say what exactly happened.