Widow of Modern Bus tycoon offers co-wife alternative home in dispute

Mrs Regine Butt in the High Court in Mombasa at hearing of an application she had filed in a property dispute. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

By PHILIP MUYANGA

In Summary

• Prof Mumma said if parties were to stay in the same house, the extent of acrimony between them will be aggravated and that there is a risk the interest of the child will be subordinate.
• The application to suspend the ruling was opposed by Ms Regine, who in a separate court is locked in a fight over Mr Butt’s property with slain tycoon’s first wife.

The widow of slain Mombasa tycoon Shahid Butt and her son want a court to suspend a ruling directing them to live together in a matrimonial home with her co-wife.

The late businessman owned some 209 motor vehicles, mostly luxury buses, the most being Modern Coast Express Limited, a bus service that connects East Africa’s major towns.

The wealth is estimated at Sh5 billion.

Through lawyer Albert Mumma, Ms Akhtar Butt and his son Haroon Butt said they are willing to provide alternative accommodation to Ms Regine Butt at a house of her choice for Sh150,000 per month.

“This is a matter that concerns spouses, the nature of dispute has generated acrimony and tension,” said Prof Mumma.

Prof Mumma said if parties were to stay in the same house, the extent of acrimony between them will be aggravated and that there is a risk the interest of the child will be subordinate.

On Monday last week, the court issued an order restoring Ms Regine Butt to the matrimonial home which she occupied with the slain tycoon before he died.

The court also ordered Ms Akhtar and his son, their servants, employees and agents not to interfere or undermine Ms Regine possession of the home on Mkomani Road pending hearing and determination of the suit.

However, the court also noted that it does not authorise the eviction of Ms Akhtar Butt from the property and that she may continue to stay with his son at the portion of the house which he (son) occupied while his father was alive.

The application to suspend the ruling was opposed by Ms Regine, who in a separate court is locked in a fight over Mr Butt’s property with slain tycoon’s first wife.

Before he died in a hail of bullets in July last year, Mr Butt ran a business empire, part of which was set up in tax havens, including the island of Jersey.