NAIROBI — The diplomatic fallout from a Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto aborted travel to Uganda has fuelled tension among the two trading partners— with Nairobi now summoning Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kenya for grilling over the incident.
Mr. Ruto was on Monday blocked from flying to Kampala in what his office protested as a sudden change of rules that have governed his trips since he became the second-in-command in 2013.
The Vice President’s Office said, Mr. Ruto who was making “a private visit” to Entebbe, arrived at Wilson Airport at noon and spent more than five hours trying to secure clearance from State officials, in vain.
Disappointed, he drove back to his Karen home to end his public humiliation before immigration and airport officials.
However, Kenyan media quoting security sources reported that Dr Ruto did not seek the President’s clearance to travel as required by protocol.
According to the officials, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor the High Commission of Kenya in Uganda was aware of the visit.
This website understands that Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has summoned the Ugandan High Commissioner, Amb.Dr Hassan Wasswa Galiwago to answer questions ralated to Mr. Ruto’s secret dealings with Kampala.
Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Reychelle Omamo summoned Galiwango for a meeting scheduled for Friday August 6.
“I invite you to our Ministry offices in Nairobi on Friday 6th, August, 2021 at 2pm to discuss matters touching on bilateral relations between out two countries, particularly on the first against terrorism,” reads in part, the summon letter — capping a week of mounting tension between the two governments over diplomatic skirmish.
The Ministry further notes that the talks will aim at strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
The Friday meeting between Uganda’s envoy to Kenya and the Foreign Affairs Ministry has attracted mixed reactions among citizens.
Kenyan Members of Parliament from Mr. Ruto’s party said they have for long been suspicious of left-leaning Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s links with their VP.
