Investors In Malindi Cry Of Insecurity As They Reach Out To Ruto For Protection

A group of Italian investors in Malindi, who claim to have lost their investments worth billions of shillings to fraudsters, have asked President William Ruto to intervene.

The investors are calling on the President to protect the investors and their properties valued at over Sh90 billion.

“Our plea to the President is to make investors safe and secure. We help create wealth in this country,” says Cattani Alberto in a letter to the President dated August 21.

Alberto, who represents the Italian investors who came to Kenya in the early 2000s, says they have major investments, in Malindi and its environs.

The properties include the Taman Jua, a resort in Malindi, eight Villas in Cauarina, Casualiana Commercial Centre, apartments, shops and restaurant in Casuarina, shops, Typical Restaurant, Malindi, Le Plead 20 apartments and Pata Pata Disco Beach.

In 2006, they formed other companies namely, Holborn Properties Limited and Denman Properties Limited.

According to Alberto, all three companies Holborn, Denman, Casuarina, and Bayview companies and huge chunks of land have been “robbed” by known local individuals with the assistance of State officers.

“With the collaboration of a lawyer and an accountant and the collaboration of two nominees’ falsified documents, mendacious statements and with the support of the office of Registrar of Companies all the companies were transferred to the fraudsters,” he writes.

He adds: “Our efforts to have the matter resolved through the office of the Attorney General and the DCI have been futile since the Registrar has refused to provide the necessary documents.”

“Our hopes are now hinged on you your Excellency the President. What has happened to us is not good as it scares away other investors who want to do business in your country,” reads the letter.

Alberto says all the documents relating to the companies had mysteriously disappeared from the registrar’s office.

“I have evidence of the forgery of documents by the said lawyer. I also have proof of false declarations, false CR12, falsified precisely to be able to sell the properties or put them in fraudsters names,” he says.
The investors want the government to protect investors.

“We came to this country with a great will, put our money to create wealth and employment. These people must be defended and protected in the interest of the Kenyan people,” Alberto writes.
He says the investors had also sought the intervention of the Italian Embassy.

“It is the responsibility of the government of Kenya to preserve, defend and protect investors and to condemn criminals who steal from them,” reads the letter.

The investors also want the County Government of Kilifi to intervene and protect the interests of investors in the region.