SCANDAL: Cocoa Luxury Resort Manager Returns to Post After Alleged Sh28 Million Bribe Clears Sexual Harassment and Racism Claims

Explosive allegations emerge of payoff to Labour Office as embattled manager resumes duties despite viral abuse footage

A controversial manager at the upscale Cocoa Luxury Resort in Nyali has been quietly reinstated months after being dismissed over damning allegations of sexual harassment, racial abuse, and worker intimidation, with sources claiming a staggering Sh28 million bribe may have made criminal complaints vanish into thin air.

Mr Pattni, the resort’s operations manager, was previously caught on CCTV cameras in footage that went viral across social media platforms, allegedly showing him hurling racial slurs at Kenyan workers and engaging in what staff described as systematic bullying and intimidation.

The damning video sparked public outrage and led to his initial dismissal earlier this year.

But in a shocking turn of events, Pattni has now resumed his position at the beachfront property, leaving traumatised staff wondering whether justice can be bought.

Multiple employees at the luxury resort have come forward with serious accusations against the manager, painting a picture of workplace abuse that spans months, if not years.

Workers reported incidents of sexual harassment to the Labour Office, prompting an official investigation that appeared poised to result in significant legal consequences for the hotel’s management.

The establishment, Mr Adiya Mata was formally summoned to appear before labour officials to answer the mounting complaints.

But then something extraordinary happened. The case went cold.

“We reported everything. The harassment, the racism, the threats. They called the management in, and we thought finally something would be done,” said one employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing retaliation. “Then suddenly, nothing. The case just disappeared, and he’s back like nothing ever happened.”

According to sources within the hospitality industry and the local Asian business community, members of Nyali’s tight-knit Asian business network allegedly organised a crowdfunding effort that raised over Sh28 million.

This substantial sum was purportedly paid to officials at the Labour Office to ensure the sexual harassment and workplace abuse complaints were buried.

While Kenya Insights has been unable to independently verify the payment, multiple sources have corroborated the figure and the alleged scheme.

If true, it would represent one of the most brazen cases of institutional corruption in Kenya’s hospitality sector.

The Labour Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations, and no officials would speak on record about the status of the complaints against Cocoa Luxury Resort.

Further complicating the scandal are allegations that numerous workers at the resort, particularly those of Indian descent in management and supervisory positions, are operating without valid work permits.

If confirmed, this would constitute a serious violation of Kenya’s immigration laws and raise questions about how the establishment has avoided scrutiny from immigration authorities.

The revelations have sparked calls for a comprehensive audit of foreign workers at luxury hotels along the Kenyan coast, with labour activists demanding accountability and proper enforcement of employment regulations.

Perhaps most disturbing are claims that the human resources department at Cocoa Luxury Resort has been compromised by fear.

One source alleged that HR staff, aware of the complaints and the alleged cover-up, felt pushed to desperate measures, though details remain murky and unsubstantiated.

“The HR team knows what’s happening, but they’re terrified. They’ve seen what happens to people who speak up,” another employee stated. “Nobody feels safe anymore.”

The allegations suggest a toxic workplace culture where speaking out against abuse carries severe professional and potentially personal consequences.

The scandal raises troubling questions about accountability in Kenya’s tourism industry and whether wealthy establishments can simply pay their way out of serious criminal allegations.

It also highlights potential systemic corruption within government offices tasked with protecting workers’ rights.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and the Kenya Tourism Board have yet to comment on the allegations, despite the potential reputational damage to Kenya’s crucial tourism sector.

The matter also raises questions for the Director of Public Prosecutions about whether criminal charges should be pursued independently of labour complaints.

Workers’ unions have expressed outrage at the alleged reinstatement, with officials calling for an immediate independent investigation into both the original complaints and the suspicious collapse of the case.

Repeated attempts to reach management at Cocoa Luxury Resort for comment were unsuccessful. Calls to the establishment went unanswered, and emails requesting a response to the specific allegations had not been returned by the time of publication.

The resort, which markets itself as a premier destination for international tourists seeking luxury beachfront accommodation, now faces serious questions about its internal practices and treatment of staff.

As public pressure mounts, labour rights advocates are calling for immediate action from the government to investigate the allegations thoroughly and ensure that no amount of money can shield abusers from facing justice.

The case stands as a stark reminder that behind the glamorous facade of Kenya’s tourism industry, serious questions remain about worker protection and the integrity of the systems meant to defend the vulnerable.

Kenya Insights will continue to investigate this developing story and welcomes any information from workers or officials with knowledge of the case.