Controversial businessman and Goldenberg scandal mastermind Kamlesh Pattni makes a quiet return to the country
Controversial businessman and Goldenberg scandal mastermind Kamlesh Pattni returned to Kenya quietly last week.
Pattni, who had relocated to Zimbabwe following a trail of controversies in Kenya, is said to have returned into the country on July 30 and has been meeting family members and business associates.
A source familiar with Pattni’s movements intimated to People Daily that the businessman spent the better part of last week traversing the Coast where he has been secretly hopping from one hotel to the next savouring his riches in the company of close family members.
Shortly after he landed in the country, he is said to have headed straight to Malindi where he attended a lavish family wedding. He thereafter spent around three days at a Penthouse within Malindi.
“He has kept his visit very private and confidential. Not many people were aware of his stay in Malindi and even the few who knew that Pattni was there only got wind of it after he left with his delegation,” stated the source.
On August 4, the controversial tycoon shifted his merrymaking episode to Mombasa, and spent another three days at Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel & Spa, a three-star hotel, which is one of the many private properties he is closely linked with.
Here, the level of special treatment for the businessman was reportedly a notch higher.
Tucked in the lush greenery in the balmy Nyali area, perhaps this quiet and relaxed hotel offered a much safer haven for his repose.
Sandy beach
An insider disclosed that he stayed in state-of-the-art suites of the VVIP wing in one corner of the hotel overlooking the sprawling windswept sandy beach exclusively booked for him and his family.
He was reportedly accompanied by a personal female chef from South Africa who was in charge of his meals, separately from the rest of the family.
“The chef was especially there to handle the meals of the boss. He is extra-vigilant; nobody else is allowed to touch what goes into his stomach through his mouth except the chef.
The rest of the family members including his wife and brother were free to be served by the hotel cooks,” said one of the workers who preferred his name kept off record.
In a leaked photo, the family of four people seated can be seen being served by a male attendant of Indian origin.
According to a source who scrutinized the photo, the photo must have been taken at lunch time on Saturday shortly before they left Mombasa for Nairobi.
One of Pattni’s aides, who identified himself as Abdul Hassan, had promised to connect us with the businessman after getting permission from him.
“Yes, Mr Pattni is around, but I cannot say how long he would be around. I can only tell you more information once I get express permission from him,” Hassan told People Daily.
By the time of going to press, Abdul was yet to get back. While a few of the workers at the hotel claimed to be aware of Pattni’s visit, others could only recall seeing strange arrangements and movements signifying the presence of a “Very Important Person” among the occupants at the hotel.
“They left for Nairobi over the weekend. Some of us realised it after he had left. I wish I had known earlier I could have at least paid closer attention,” one of the attendants said.
Acquired billions
Pattni was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya. He later moved to venture into business in Nairobi, where he allegedly used his company to acquire billions of shillings, in league with prominent politicians and government officials in the Goldenberg scandal which he was implicated in the 1990s but was acquitted in 2013.
He was born in a Hindu family but later in life he was baptised and converted to Christian, adopting the name “Paul” which he fondly preferred to be called especially after he established his own church.
Bogged down by controversy after another, Pattni relocated to Zimbabwe where he established a thriving business.
Pattni said he now runs duty free shops in Zimbabwe, Kinshasa in DRC and Durban in South Africa. Besides the series of controversies, he also ventured into politics becoming the chairman of the Kenya National Democratic Alliance (Kenda).
He unsuccessfully contested the Westlands in the 2013 election and garnered 10,083 votes.
