Pattni’s Sh4bn legal row with KAA in court despite deal

From left: Businessman Kamlesh Pattni, Transport secretary Michael Kamau and Attorney-General Githu Muigai at a press conference in Nairobi September 16, 2013. Photo/Denish Ochieng 

By GALGALLO FAYO

Businessman Kamlesh Pattni has not withdrawn a suit in which he is seeking Sh4.2 billion from
Kenya Airports Authority.

Mr Pattni and Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau announced last week that the businessman had let go of duty free shops at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

When the suit came before Justice Jonathan Havelock for mention neither KAA nor Mr Pattni’s representatives were in court and there were no new applications filed.

“There has been some development in the matter which would have some effect on the pending case. I need more time to take instructions,” a state counsel representing the AG told Mr Justice Havelock who stood over the case generally.

Gutted down

Mr Pattni said last week he had agreed to withdraw the suits against KAA so that he could get peace of mind.

“Today I am here by the will of Almighty to give up on my long running disputes over the Duty Free with KAA,” he said.

The announcement came as KAA and two companies associated with Pattni — Diplomatic Duty Free and World Duty Free — engaged in negotiations for an out-of-court settlement of the dispute.

Mr Kamau said Mr Pattni had renounced the Sh4.2 billion awarded to him by retired judge Edward Togbor which KAA had been contesting in court.

On September 3, KAA and Mr Pattni told Justice George Kimondo that talks were ongoing over shops belonging to Diplomatic Duty Free, which were demolished a month ago. Unit Two at the JKIA, where the shops were situated, was days later gutted down by an inferno.

KAA also demolished duty free shops managed by World Duty Free, at the airport. The shops were acquired by Mr Pattni from international businessman Nassir Ibrahim Ali in the early 1990s.