Equity Bank Denies Loaning Turkish Businessman Harun Aydin Linked to DP Ruto Sh15bn

The bank's managing director Gerald Warui on Wednesday told a Parliamentary Committee the bank does not have any banking relationship with Harun Aydin.

"He does not operate and does not have a banking relationship neither does he have a loan with us," Warui said.

Warui appeared before the National Assembly Finance Committee chaired by Homa Bay MP Gladys Wanga.

The manager also told MPs that he is not aware of the phone call purportedly made by Deputy President Ruto to the bank to facilitate the loan.

DP Ruto has previously said he helped Harun Aydin secure a loan with the bank, adding that he was a legitimate businessman.

Harun Aydin was deported on August 9 after the government said his travel in and out of the country did not match up with records at the Immigration Department as well as his being linked to alleged terror activities.

Ruto had blasted government operatives, saying they caused the arrest of Aydin on false allegations of having links to terrorism.

The DP said he telephoned the businessman and apologized to him on behalf of the government.

Ruto said Aydin who was arrested by police and held incommunicado with his lawyers and Turkey embassy officials upon arrival from Uganda was “tortured and falsely profiled as a 'terrorist' but later asked to fly out not to shame those involved.”