By Joab Apollo
Diplomatic row between East African countries, Kenya and Uganda, deepened on Saturday after a Turkish investor alleged to be a mercenary was arrested and detained by the Anti-terrorism Police Unit in Nairobi.
Harun Aydin, who was part of Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto’s aborted trip to Uganda last Sunday, was nabbed upon landing from Uganda by Kenya’s immigration officials, who said they were interrogating him regarding his work permit and immigration status.
While DP Ruto was blocked from traveling to Uganda for a “private” visit, his entourage, which also included a coterie of legislators from his newly formed United Democratic Alliance party, were allowed to travel. Kenya government officials believe he is engaged in nefarious activities with the long-serving Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, claims which Kampala has denounced.
Political pundits opine that the ugly development has been occasioned by the bitter fall-out between Ruto and his ally-turned enemy, President Uhuru Kenyatta, a fall-out dating back to March, 2018 when Kenyatta entered into a political ceasefire with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Even though President Kenyatta has not declared his preferred choice for the 2022 presidential election, many believe Odinga is his heir apparent, thanks to his growing influence within government circles, which includes using government vehicles for his functions.
While Ruto has interpreted Kenyatta’s dalliance with Odinga as a political slap on his face, Uganda’s Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is viewed to be uncomfortable with the former Kenya’s Prime Minister ascendancy to power due to his unwavering stance against dictatorship and endemic corruption in the African continent.
Aydin arrest saw Turkish embassy officials visit the anti terror offices in Nairobi but they were denied entry. Ruto said the arrest is part of a wider scheme by the Kenyatta regime to impoverish Kenyans by incarcerating genuine investors.
“Turkish investor, Aydin Harun, is a victim of top-down arrogance bred by patronage and cartels that criminalise genuine investment.” He tweeted immediately after the arrests.
His political allies are breathing fire and brimstone.
“They allege they want to interrogate him but they are trying to provoke the Deputy President because he remained silent when they blocked him from traveling to Uganda.” Said the vocal Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Ruto’s key lieutenant.
