Businessman Chrisantus Okeyo Obure has moved a step closer to defending his claim to Nairobi’s multi-billion shilling Senteu Plaza after the prosecution on Monday closed its case in a property dispute that has drawn widespread attention.
Obure, chairman of Meriton Group of Companies and owner of SBS Dunhill Group (EA) Limited, maintains that his firm entered a lease-to-purchase agreement with AC & Others Company Limited, a deal he says was honored until the landlord abruptly issued a lease termination notice.
Five prosecution witnesses, including police officers and lawyer Pravinchandra Jamnadas Kakad, testified before Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai. However, defense counsel highlighted gaps and inconsistencies in their evidence.
Kakad, representing the estate of the late Ajeetkumar Shah, admitted to drafting the 2017 lease agreement but told the court he was unaware of any arrangement allowing Obure’s company to purchase the building.
When shown a Binding Board Resolution, which Obure says affirms the agreement, Kakad disowned it but could not explain why key documents were signed after Shah’s death in 2018.
Defense lawyer, Odwesso, holding brief for Patrick Lumumba, further produced evidence of a June 12, 2018 meeting in Florida, USA, showing that discussions to acquire Senteu Plaza took place. This, he argued, contradicts the prosecution’s claim that no such purchase plan existed.
Investigating officer Geoffrey Ndatho alleged that the documents were forged, but under cross-examination, he admitted he had not verified the authenticity of the Florida meeting records nor contacted key signatories referenced in Obure’s documents.
Obure reported the dispute to the DCI in February 2024, insisting that the landlord’s move to evict his company violates the agreed lease terms. He has consistently maintained that his company is a lawful tenant pursuing a legitimate purchase.
The court has set a date for the defense hearing on the 17th September where Obure’s legal team is expected to present evidence supporting the validity of the lease-to-purchase agreement and challenging allegations of forgery.
