Isuzu: Truth on Ruto bus donated to Kianjai Girls’ Secondary School

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 17 Mar, 2021 16:48 | 2 mins read
On Tuesday, March 16, reports published online suggested that the bus donated by Ruto was “taken back to the dealer”. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]
On Tuesday, March 16, reports published online suggested that the bus donated by Ruto was “taken back to the dealer”. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]
On Tuesday, March 16, reports published online suggested that the bus donated by Ruto was “taken back to the dealer”. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]

Isuzu East Africa now says a school bus donated to Kianjai Girls’ Secondary School by Deputy President William Ruto was fully paid for in December 2020, contrary to recent media reports that the vehicle manufacturer repossessed the bus over unsettled balance.

Dancan Muhindi, the Communications Manager of Isuzu East Africa, said in a statement on Wednesday, March 17 that the bus, donated to Kianjai Girls’ Secondary School on March 6, was taken back to the Isuzu Assembly plant to complete a formal handover process.

“Kianjai Girls’ Secondary School from Tigania West, Meru County placed an order with Isuzu East Africa for a 46-seater bus in September 2019,” said Muhindi in his press release dated Wednesday, March 17.

“The payment was completed in December 2020. Subsequently, a chassis was allocated and bus body fabrication commenced.

“The bus had recently been completed and number plates issued. We expect to make delivery of the bus to the school next week,” said the car maker’s communications boss.

Isuzu termed as false allegations that the bus, valued at Ksh3.5 million, was repossessed over delayed payment.

“We have noted that the letter’s misleading contents also appeared in a story published online by one of the leading daily newspapers,” said Muhindi, adding Isuzu’s press statement was prompted by the need to “set the record straight”.

On Tuesday, March 16, reports published online suggested that the bus donated by Ruto was “taken back to the dealer”.

The report said Tigania West residents were disappointed by the repossession of the vehicle, going ahead to refer to Ruto’s gesture as a “political gimmick”.

Tigania West MP, John Mutunga, was however quoted saying the vehicle was delivered to the school before “works could be completed on it” so as to coincide with Ruto’s visit to Meru.

Mutunga said the COVID-19 crisis delayed completion of works on the bus.

According to the lawmaker, Ruto’s visit to Meru had been planned six months ago, and there was no way it would have been rescheduled because the star project -- the bus -- had not been delivered.

Mutunga said the vehicle was, therefore, handed over to the DP to present it to Kianjai Girls’ Secondary School in a ceremonial arrangement.

“General Motors [Isuzu East Africa’s former tradename] urged us to hold a ceremonial handover and then (have) it be completed later. I cannot bring the DP from Nairobi for a fake ceremony yet we have been planning it for six months,” said MP John Mutunga while addressing residents of Rwongo Rwa Nyaki on Tuesday, March 16.