Harun Aydin is a Turkish businessman and foreign investor who is an ally and close business associate of Deputy President William Ruto.
On August 2, 2021, Aydin was at the center of national headlines when DP Ruto was denied clearance to fly to Uganda along with his team.
Ruto was to travel with three MPs allied to him-Kiharu’s Ndindi Nyoro, Kapseret’s Oscar Sudi and Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari.
Reports indicate that the DP spent more than four hours at the Wilson Airport after he was denied access to leave the country on allegations that he did not seek proper clearance as all civil servants should.
The second in command was cleared by the Immigration department but was blocked from flying out on account that he had allegedly not been cleared by the Head of Public Service.
The media reported that Aydin who had accompanied him in the botched trip may have spooked immigration officials who denied DP Ruto clearance to travel to Uganda.
Background & Education
Aydin, 54, is a Turkish national and reportedly resides in the country’s capital of Istanbul.
A lot is yet to surface on his education background online.
Ties With DP Ruto
Aydin first arrived in Kenya in 2018. According to reports, He made 6 trips from Instanbul to Nairobi that year. He made four trips to Nairobi in 2019, and two in 2020.
In 2021, reports indicate that the businessman’s passport has been stamped six times at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
It is reported that Aydin accompanied DP Ruto in his trip to Sudan on July 5 and returned together on July 7.
On July 23, he travelled with the deputy president to Zanzibar and they returned on July 24.
He was also to travel with the DP to Entebbe, Uganda when their flight got cancelled.
Terror Allegations
On August 2, Kahawatungu alleged that Aydin had earlier in his life been arrested on account of terrorism.
“Our investigations found Mr Aydin to be a terror suspect previously arrested in Frankfurt, Germany, in October 2001 with luggage containing camouflage clothing, a chemical-weapons protection suit, a ski mask and materials to produce an explosive detonator.
“Also found in his luggage were CD-ROM with a training video for Islamic holy warriors, a suicide note to his wife and a last testament,” the media house reported.
It is not clear if he is the same man arrested in Germany two decades ago or it’s a case of mistaken identity. At the time of the arrest, Mr Aydin was 29 years old.
Businesses
Aydin’s mission to Kenya still remains unknown to the general public.
Kapseret MP, Sudi, has since stated that the Turk is a businessman and agriculturalist with interests in fruit farming.
Sudi dismissed the reports circulating online that the businessman had links to terrorism.
“I woke up to the shocking news spread by gutter press Daily Nation and idle bloggers the likes of Robert Alai spreading malicious stories about Businessman Harun Aydin. Harun is a Turkish investor interested in modern fruit farming and not a terrorist as alleged.
“If Alai or any of these busybodies have any shamba then we are willing to engage then plant modern fruits on it.
“If anyone is in doubt about the details of Mr Harun then they can visit the Turkish embassy for more information,” Sudi stated.
Blogger Dennis Itumbi shared the Turk’s work permit issued by the Kenyan government.
Arrest
The Turk was arrested by anti-terror police officers and booked at the Kilimani Police station. He had just jetted into the country from Uganda when the arrest was effected. An exasperated Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi said he was with the investor when he was arrested.
“Turkish Investor Harun Aydin arrested at the Airport. I boarded the same police vehicle but upon reaching Kilimani police station, he was locked in the cell leaving me outside. I had made it clear that if indeed Aydin is a terrorist, then I should be the first one to be arrested,” Sudi said.
