American investor wants Sh89m from his ex-girlfriend

US investor seeks Sh89m from ex-partner in bitter property row. [Courtesy]

An American and Irish investor has appealed to the Kenyan investigative agencies and the United States Embassy in Nairobi to intervene and assist him in recovering assets worth Sh89 million after investing through a Kenyan female partner. 

Joel Fitzpatrick, who relocated to Watamu in Kilifi County after marrying a Kenyan woman, says he invested his life savings in Kenya with the dream of establishing businesses, owning a home and settling permanently with his family. 

Instead, he claims the marriage ended in a bitter legal battle that has left him fighting to recover assets he alleges he acquired but registered in his partner’s name. 

Speaking to journalists, Fitzpatrick said he sold businesses abroad and liquidated part of his inheritance before transferring millions of shillings to his Kenyan partner to facilitate the purchase of a beachfront property and motor vehicles. 

According to Fitzpatrick, he entrusted his wife with the transactions after she allegedly informed him that he could not immediately open a Kenyan bank account because he did not yet have a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN. 

"I came to Kenya because I believed I had found the love of my life. I wanted to invest, create businesses, contribute to the economy and spend the rest of my life here. Instead, I lost everything," he said. 

He alleges that once the purchases were completed, a beachfront house in Watamu, a Toyota Hilux Double Cab and a Subaru Outback were all registered solely in the name of his partner despite having been purchased using his funds. 

Fitzpatrick further claims that after the assets had been acquired, he was excluded from decisions involving the property before the relationship deteriorated. 

He alleges that following a series of domestic disputes, his wife filed for divorce, which was subsequently granted by the court, while retaining ownership of the disputed assets. 

The investor has since moved to court seeking recovery of the property, arguing that he is the rightful financier of the investments. 

He alleges that unknown individuals attempted to rob him near a café in Watamu last week and believes the incident may have been linked to the ongoing dispute. 

He further claims there is a plot to eliminate him because of his efforts to recover the assets through the courts. 

He says he reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Watamu Police Station but alleges that no meaningful action has been taken. 

Fitzpatrick is now appealing to the Inspector General of Police, the DCI, the ODPP and the United States Embassy in Nairobi to investigate the matter, guarantee his security and ensure the legal process proceeds without interference. 

"I only want justice. I believe the courts will establish the truth, recover my property and hold those responsible accountable," he said. 

The dispute has also attracted the attention of human rights organisations, which argue that the case raises broader questions about investor protection and the security of foreign investments in Kenya.

Western Human Rights Forum representative Mr John Abura Oluoch said the organisation became involved after learning of the alleged attempted robbery and reviewing complaints lodged with the police. 

"We want the authorities to conduct thorough investigations and ensure justice is served. Cases involving investors should be handled transparently because they have implications for Kenya's investment climate," Oluoch said. 

Coast Human Rights Network chair Mr Michael Magak said the organisation had reviewed documents presented by Fitzpatrick and believes the allegations warrant comprehensive investigations by the relevant law enforcement agencies. 

Magak urged investigators to examine the financial transactions, ownership records of the disputed property and vehicles, and any other issues raised in the complaint. 

"We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for justice and due process. If these allegations are true, then those responsible should be held accountable through the courts," he said.