The government has revived the bid to hire two planes for Deputy President official travels across the country, several months after the initial tender flopped, it has emerged.
Last year, DP William Ruto's office advertised the tender, a move that to caused social media uproar country wide. It is not clear why the state bolted out of the plans.
“Interested service providers who are registered in relevant trades and categories (proof of registration required) may obtain Tender Documents from Harambee House Annex 1st Floor, room 1B12/13, in person or against written application,” read the initial notice.
“The non-refundable fee of Ksh.1,000 is to be paid in cash at the Cash Office before 4pm on normal working days or in banker’s cheque payable to the Principal Administrative Secretary, Office of the Deputy President.”
Both in the original and current tender, the supplier is expected to give helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft which would act as an alternative mode of transport for the DP.
On Tuesday, the state made a similar advertisement on one of the local dailies, a move which could yet again anger Kenyans. DP Ruto currently hires helicopters for his travels.
“The government of Kenya through the Office of the Deputy President invites tenders for air charter services (namely) helicopter (and) fixed wing aircraft,” said the DP’s office in the tender notice posted in local dailies on Tuesday.
Apparently, the call for tender comes slightly over a month after the death of Ruto's official pilot, Captain Mario Magonga, who died in Turkana following a helicopter crash.
Until now, the family of the experienced pilot is yet to do a funeral for him, with sources indicating that they are disputing remains that were collected from the crash site.