Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ruto demands apology from NMG over 'hustler airline' story

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY EUGENE OKUMU
The stage could be set for a confrontation between Deputy President William Ruto and the Nation Media Group over the private jet hired for Ruto’s recent trip to four African countries.
Ruto has demanded that the NMG retract their story in which the Daily Nation stated that the luxury jet hired for the trip cost Sh100 million. Ruto in his demand is also seeking an apology, and an admission of liability for libel.
The Daily Nation on Tuesday May 21 in a story titled Ruto office seeks to calm storm over trip, said it is in possession of an invoice from VistaJet for $300,000 (Sh25 million) which also shows that the payment was an instalment for the first quarter of the year. However, a statement from the DP’s office said the cost for hiring the jet was Sh18 million inclusive of VAT and other charges for the entire trip.
DP Ruto left the country on May 16 from Wilson airport to Congo Brazzaville before flying to Gabon and Nigeria on May 17. The plane then flew to Sudan for fueling on May 18 before heading to Algeria on May 19 and back to Wilson Airport.
Majority leader of the National Assembly and MP for Garissa township Adan Duale, is this afternoon expected to table a full audit of the entire cost of the trip to the four nations as the media reports of the elicited sharp debate among members.

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