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.
We understand your pain,jubilee is a shell,Musambweni & Kiambaa results, BBI in ICU,NASA dead,KEMSA heist & the bottom up economic model changing the discussion. pic.twitter.com/si8ElXVcdA
— Hon Caleb Kositany MP Soy (@ckositany) August 3, 2021
Ati passing the buck??? Where does the buck STOP?
— KIMANI ICHUNG'WAH (@KIMANIICHUNGWAH) August 2, 2021
Madharau yataisha tu…@WilliamsRuto wacha nipange tutembelee hustlers pale Kikuyu ama hata hiyo clearance will need some “buck to be passed”? pic.twitter.com/db0D2hi5zg
Today, they have now taken away and denied the DEPUTY PRESIDENT as a private citizen, his fundamental right and freedom including the freedom of movement which is inalienable freedom for every human being guaranteed and protected by Chapter Four of the Constitution.
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, MP (@HonAdenDuale) August 2, 2021
Why all these provocations at the Hustler Nation?
— Aaron Cheruiyot (@Aaroncheruiyot) August 2, 2021
The idea is to precipitate chaos n thus present grounds for extension of the term of office. ( Art 102 CoK)
We are way wiser.
We have taken in even worse from Uhuru.
Our focus is singular, n that's what our energy is reserved 4.
By attempting to control the freedom of movement of Kenyans, President Uhuru is breaching the very Constitution of Kenya 2010 that he swore to defend, uphold and protect.
— Dr Boni Khalwale CBS, MBChB (@KBonimtetezi) August 2, 2021
He started with @MigunaMiguna now it is @WilliamsRuto..
Law enforcers should respect and protect human dignity but NOT act like state militia.The unfortunate incident of blocking @WilliamsRuto from visiting Uganda for private business is barbaric and an act of dictatorship. Freedom of movement is enshrined in COK 2010.
— Sen.Johnson Nduya Muthama (@nduyamuthama) August 2, 2021
Mungu mbele your Excellency @WilliamsRuto.
— senator kiprotich Arap cherargei (@scherargei) August 2, 2021
Ipo siku .
Kazi Ni kazi #mtetezi https://t.co/Zy1OD2TYdc
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.