Businessman Jimi Wanjigi is currently embroiled in a debt row with helicopter charter service firm Lady Lori. The business is said to owe the firm Sh. 16.5 million in debt and hanger fees. Consequently, the firm is holding on to Wanjigi’s chopper.
It is further seeking to block the businessman from taking back the chopper until he clears all his outstanding debt.
Lady Lori says it was contracted by the two firms and Mr Wanjigi in 2014 to service the aircraft, or provide Mr Wanjigi with one of its helicopters whenever his (Mr Wanjigi’s) was not airworthy.
Mr Wanjigi’s helicopter, registration number 5Y-JWJ, was at the centre of attention during the recent electioneering period following the businessman’s alleged support for presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his National Super Alliance (Nasa).
Mr Wanjigi and Kwacha Group of Companies are yet to respond to the suit.
One of his companies, Tyl Limited has, however, filed an objection to the suit, arguing it was filed to blackmail it into paying debts owed by Mr Wanjigi and Kwacha Group of Companies.
further claims that the helicopter 5Y-JWJ has not been operational for more than two years, poking holes into allegations that it was used by Nasa and Mr Odinga during the recent campaigns. The firm says it owes Lady Lori Sh7 million.
“Vide a helicopter maintenance agreement, Lady Lori was approached by Tyl Limited to maintain its helicopter 5Y-JWJ to which Lady Lori agreed. Further to an oral aircraft agreement, Tyl Limited requested Lady Lori to place its helicopters at the disposal of Jimi Wanjigi at all times when its helicopter shall be under maintenance and is not airworthy.
“But Tyl Limited in a clear and elaborate mischief has sought to disown its contractual obligations relating to the maintenance and charter agreements and only seeks to honour the hangarage agreement, which it is also disputing in a bid to avoid paying the full outstanding amounts,” Lady Lori accounts manager Joseph Githiga says in suit papers.
Justice Olga Sewe has ordered Mr Wanjigi’s Tyl Limited to deposit cash in lieu of the admitted Sh7 million debt in a joint interest earning account pending determination of the suit.
