Court stops arrest of German billionaire over hotel violence in Watamu

The High Court has granted German billionaire Langer Hans a Sh50,000 anticipatory bail that keeps him from arrest.

Police have been seeking to arrest Mr Hans and four of his associates over an incident where individuals stormed Temple Point Resort in Watamu last week on Tuesday, claiming ownership of the hotel.

Hans and his associates were granted the bail on Friday last week.

The four are Emmanuel Nzai, Mumba Ngundi, Amani Mwinga and James Maganga.

Hans' son Ian Langer was, however, arrested on Tuesday after the violent incident, and held by police for four days. 

The hotel, estimated to be worth Sh2 billion, has been at the centre of a 12-year legal dispute between Hans on one hand, and a Kenyan Isaac Rodrot with his Italian business partner Uccelli Stephano on the other.

“It is hereby ordered that the Sh50,000 anticipatory bail be deposited at the Malindi Law Courts,” said High Court judge Njoki Mwangi.

Court documents show that events unfolded on Tuesday when Ian, and another man called Matthias Schmiot led a group of men to the hotel and tried to evict Mr Rodrot, Mr Stephano and hotel employees.

Following the commotion, Ian and a number of his accomplices were arrested and arraigned before Malindi Resident Magistrate William Chepseba.

Police had sought to hold them for 14 days, but they were released after four days.

Police had also sought orders to arrest Hans over the violence, but Hans went to court and obtained the bail that shielded him from arrest.