A fresh
twist has emerged in the heated dispute over the ownership of prime commercial
space at Nairobi’s Senteu Plaza, with the Business Premises Rent Tribunal now
ordering an urgent inspection of the premises.
The
Tribunal’s directive follows a contested claim by a new tenant who told the court he
is in occupation of the building’s first floor and has made “heavy investments”
into the property.
But SBS Dunhil
Group (East Africa) Limited, owned by Nairobi businessman Chris Obure,
disputes.
The
contested property, located at the junction of Lenana and Galana roads in
Kilimani, has been at the centre of a legal battle.
The saga escalated after Obure was evicted
from the property earlier this year.
That eviction was later declared unlawful by
the Tribunal in a ruling delivered by Cyprian Mugambi, who ordered Obure's
return to the premises on July 28.
In response
to the latest application by Obure, Tribunal member Joyce Murigi issued the
inspection order on Tuesday under a certificate of urgency.
The move is
meant to clarify whether a new tenant is indeed occupying the premises and has made
the claimed investments.
The tenant had
filed a sworn affidavit claiming he was in "quiet possession" of the
first floor and had already set up shop.
Obure, in a
counter-affidavit supported by photographs, argued that the space remains
vacant.
To settle
the matter, the Tribunal directed a court-appointed inspector to visit the
building, listed under Land Reference Number 1/1373 (formerly LR Nos. 1/989 and
1/990), and report back on the current state of occupancy.
The tribunal
maintained that the case will proceed for hearing as scheduled on August 8,
2025, before Ndegwa Wahome and Joyce Murigi.
Both parties
are expected to present their arguments in full during the inter partes
hearing.
