A Nairobi-based aviation and real estate company owned by city tycoon Chris Obure has moved to the High Court seeking KSh 7.6 billion in compensation after alleging it was illegally evicted from prime office space along Lenana Road and suffered massive financial losses, including the disappearance of hundreds of kilograms of gold bars said to be a family investment.
SBS Dunhill Group (EA) Limited has filed a case at the Commercial and Tax Division of the High Court against Ajeetkumar C. Shah & Others and Siuma Auctioneers, accusing them of orchestrating an unlawful eviction and causing devastating losses to its operations.
According to court documents, the company says it entered into a commercial lease agreement in 2017 for office space at Senteu Plaza along Lenana Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area. The firm claims it later invested heavily in renovations and custom installations after allegedly being assured it would eventually acquire the property.
The company says it paid over KSh 981 million to the landlords and spent more than KSh 850 million on renovations, architectural upgrades, and executive wellness facilities. However, it alleges the agreement later collapsed, triggering a prolonged legal dispute before the Business Premises Rent Tribunal.
The firm claims that on May 16, 2025, auctioneers accompanied by police officers and hired individuals forcefully evicted it from the premises.
“The Plaintiff was ambushed… by the 4th Defendant in the company of over 15 police officers and about 150 hired goons tasked with overseeing the forceful and illegal eviction,” the court filing states.
The company further alleges that during the eviction exercise, valuables including 330 kilograms of gold bars and cash kept in a diplomatic safe disappeared after property was allegedly removed and dumped outside the premises.
SBS Dunhill is now seeking compensation including KSh 5.9 billion for the alleged value of the missing gold, KSh 821 million in alleged excess payments, compensation for renovation costs, business losses, damages, and legal costs.
The allegations are contained in court pleadings and remain subject to judicial determination. The defendants are yet to respond to the claims in court.
