NASA accuses State of attempting to block Kalonzo from travelling

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned what he described as a Government attempt to block him from travelling out of the country.

Kalonzo was briefly stopped at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by immigration officers who demanded to see clearance from State House before he could leave.

The Wiper party leader and National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential running mate was heading for Uganda to preside over a graduation ceremony at the Uganda Technology and Management University, where he is the chancellor.

It took the intervention of Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa for him to leave on a mid-morning Kenya Airways flight destined for Entebbe.

But Mr Kihalangwa denied that Kalonzo had been blocked, saying the immigration officer only delayed clearing them at the airport, hence causing the anxiety.

No directive

"Let it be known that I have no directive on anyone to seek clearance other than civil servants,” he said.

Kalonzo said he did not understand the fiasco given the trip was not secret and was not funded by taxpayers.

“The officers said I need to produce some clearance. I was taken aback because I have always travelled without being asked for such documents.

"I called the Director of Immigration who played the diplomat by apologising and saying the circular did not affect me,” Kalonzo told The Standard from Kampala.

Accompanied by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, Kalonzo termed the incident unfortunate, adding that the country risked plunging back to the dark old days of State harassment.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga accused State House of trying to block his NASA co-principals from travelling.