Businessman Chris Obure claims life in danger days after winning Sh1.3 billion property dispute
The threats, according to the businessman, began shortly after the Business Premises Rent Tribunal (BPRT) ruled in his favour and ordered his return to the property located on Lenana Road.
Nairobi businessman Chris Obure has filed a formal report with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kilimani, alleging threats to his life following a court ruling that reinstated him to Senteu Plaza, a commercial property he claims to have purchased for over Sh1.3 billion.
Obure, the Group Chairman of SBS Dunhill (East Africa) Limited, was accompanied by his lawyer, Gitobu Imanyara, when he appeared at Kilimani Police Station to record the statement.
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The threats, according to the businessman, began shortly after the Business Premises Rent Tribunal (BPRT) ruled in his favour and ordered his return to the property located on Lenana Road.
“The moment I went to the building, I was met by many goons. They are targeting my car, they are targeting my life, and that is something that has happened since Monday,” Obure said, adding that he has since been followed by suspicious vehicles and individuals on motorbikes.
He reported the threats but expressed fear about using his vehicles, claiming the suspected individuals have already marked them.
Lawyer Imanyara accused auctioneer Zachary Baraza, who had previously overseen Obure’s eviction from the premises, of being behind the alleged intimidation.
“The court found the eviction unlawful. Now that my client has been reinstated, he is being harassed and threatened. We are putting this on record—should anything happen to Mr Obure, the blame lies squarely with the auctioneer, who is known,” Imanyara said.
He further criticised individuals who, in his view, are bypassing legal processes to secure favourable outcomes through intimidation.
“My client is being frustrated by people who are taking the law into their own hands. That era is long gone. I advised him to report the matter to DCI for investigation, and the police have assured us of full protection,” the lawyer added.
The Business Premises Rent Tribunal on Monday ordered that Obure be reinstated to the disputed premises, having been unlawfully evicted by property owners Ajeetkumar C. Shah and Kamalkumar C. Shah two months ago.
In its ruling, Tribunal Chairperson Cyprian Mugambi Nguthari directed that Obure, through his company SBS Dunhill Group (EA) Limited, be granted full access and occupation of the premises on L.R. No. 1/1373. The order also included a directive to reopen the property and a restraining order against further eviction.
The Tribunal gave the businessman the option to break into the premises should the respondents fail to comply. Kilimani Police Station’s OCS was instructed to enforce the order and maintain peace during the reinstatement process.
Additionally, the Tribunal issued an injunction barring the respondents, their agents, or assigns from harassing or intimidating Obure. They were also ordered to bear the cost of the application.
The property dispute, filed under BPRT/E553/2025, has raised broader concerns about the security of high-value commercial property transactions in Nairobi. The Tribunal warned that failure to comply with the order would lead to penal consequences.
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