Events firm sues State House for Sh7.7 billion service to presidents

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Monday received President-elect Dr William Ruto and Mama Rachel Ruto at State House, Nairobi ahead of Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on September 12, 2022. [PSCU, Standard] An events company is claiming Sh7.7 billion over a cancelled State House contract. Wonderjoy Party World Limited states that it provided catering and events management for Presidents Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and his successor, Uhuru Kenyatta. However, despite having a valid contract, the firm claims it was abruptly removed when President William Ruto was declared a winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). "I made my entry into government in Moi era in 2000 and started providing catering and event management services to the government and its various departments. In 2001-2002 we served the Moi government as it campaigned for Uhuru Kenyatta. Due to the plaintiff company food work, we also worked with President Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta in their two terms at the helm of the presidency," says its director, Isaac Maina Wandere, in an affidavit. Wonderjoy is also demanding Sh3.3 billion for the losses incurred, and Sh4.4 billion as compensation and loss of future profits, adding that efforts to get its money have been in vain. He states that over the years, he invested to ensure that the government got the best services despite it not paying in time. Wandere says he cooked food for the President's events, provided the public address, tents, and decorations whenever required. In a suit the Attorney General and the Ministry of Interior are also named as defendants, the firm says the agreement was that Wonderjoy would be paid within 60 days after offering the services. Nevertheless, he states that immediately Dr Ruto was announced as the winner, his services were terminated despite there being a running contract in place. " The termination was so painful and and was orchestrated by the following actions," he says. Wandere says Wonderjoy staff were immediately ordered to leave Kasarani Stadium where they were preparing for the swearing-in of the new President. He claimes that the work was 90 per cent done. At the same time, he laments that Wonderjoy was also blacklisted from getting any government job. "It has become completely impossible to run operations despite the huge investments that were in place. As a result of the said termination, and breach by the defendants, the plaintiff's company has suffered losses and damages," says Wandere. At the same time, he claims to have lost Sh24.7 million, which he had insured his equipment and a further Sh 2 million for the equipment. According to Wandere, the State House owes him Sh603 million in pending bills without interest and a further Sh 144 million for unpaid suppliers and statutory debts. The businessman claims that he also lost Sh 37.8 million, as it had to lay off employees and declare others redundant. Wandere says Wonderjoy managed the swearing-in event of South Sudan President Salva Kiir, and all presidential public holidays events for 20 years. The firm was also contracted to manage the East African Conference in Arusha, Tanzania. " There was absolutely no doubt that the plaintiff company was destined for higher profits, noting the fundamental business systems in place as well as excellent corporate governance structures I had invested in... The plaintiff has suffered a complete brand erosion and loss," he argued.

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