Malindi hotel court case halts

By Online Reporter

A case over the ownership of the multi-million Salama Beach hotel in Malindi failed to continue when two lawyers appeared in court representing the hotel in the suit.

Christopher Kenyariri and John Khaminwa both told the court that they had instructions to represent the Sh 500 million hotel forcing the Malindi high court judge Christine Meoli to direct that the matter of representation be resolved by way of affidavits.

Isaac Rodrot moved to court faulting a decree issued by the high court, which handed over the ownership of the hotel which he had been running for over twenty years to a German Hans Langer.

The judge further directed the parties involved in the suit exchange documents one week to the hearing of the suit slated for November 27.

In his submission, Kenyariri had told the court that he was the one who was representing the hotel and had not been served by a notice indicating that there was an additional lawyer representing the hotel and sought to be served in order to respond.

However,  Khaminwa through lawyer Steve Ombaga said that they had instructions to represent the hotel and added that they had served all the parties that are involved in the case.

Lawyer Joseph Munyithya confirmed that he had been served with notice seeking to have Khaminwa represent the hotel.

Munyithya also sought the court to have all the suits touching on the hotel be consolidate in order to have them heard expeditiously.

“There are several suits all involving the same parties and I ask the court to consolidate the issues into one case with a view of bringing the matter to an end,” said Munyithya.

Among the suits filed include one questioning the decree issued by the high court on the strength of a ruling issued by a Milan court.

Rodrot argues that it was wrong for the court to issue a decree and has moved to court saying that his fundamental rights to ownership of property had been violated.