An investor in Kwale county is counting losses worth Sh1.8 million after unknown people demolished his premises and walked away with building material.
Salman Jobez claims the demolitions came as a surprise.
"I am very bitter Kenyan. I do not know how to account for the losses, and the demolitions make no sense to me. I was not notified or served with any letter," he said.
The property stood on a piece of land owned by the Postal Corporation of Kenya in Kwale town, Matuga sub-county. It contained a modern semi-permanent hotel, offices, a store, and restrooms.
The businessman claimed the demolitions left 23 locals jobless and jeopardised his lifetime investments.
The land has been the subject of a prolonged court battle between the postal corporation and Shish Vendor LTD, where Jobez serves as Executive Director.
He said Kwale Law courts had issued an order restraining any further development or business on the land until the matter was determined but did not direct removal or demolitions.
The investment stands on prime land, he added, which is the nerve centre for the town. Jobez termed the demolition unlawful, saying local police were unaware of the exercise - contrary to the law. He called on authorities to take action.
"This is a Postal Corporation of Kenya's yard. Across from it are all the government offices, including the Administration police and Kwale Police Stations; how can this happen without their knowledge?"
The hotel's manager, David Gahturu, said the demolition occurred on Friday night following a failed attempt in the afternoon.
He received a phone call that bulldozers were preparing to bring down the hotel and rushed to the scene. There were no police but the operators had already begun the demolition.
The manager pleaded with them to stop, to no avail. Police then came and asked the operators to provide a court order.
When they could not present one, the officers asked them to stop the exercise.
"In that afternoon it was agreed that the demolitions were to stop and we were assured no further work would continue but to my greatest surprise these people defied orders and proceeded with demolition at night when everyone was asleep."
An officer from the Kwale postal service who sought anonymity distanced the organisation from the demolition.
"Of course, we saw the demolitions. We are also equally shocked, and we cannot tell who did it because, as people on the ground, we were not informed or given any orders, so let the police do their job."
Police Commander Stephen Ng'etich confirmed the incident and said Jobez also recorded a statement.
He said some of the eyewitnesses have been identified and are being summoned to record their statements to help with investigations.
"We are investigating a case of malicious property damage which occurred on the Post Office premises in Kwale town. We have the complainant's statement on file, and additional witnesses are being questioned to gather more proof to strengthen our case before making our mind."
Ng'etich said police are determined to do everything to bring the perpetrators to book.
