Government responds after armed goons attacked tourists and staff at Pinewood Beach Resort
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Fear gripped staff and tourists at Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale County, after an attack by armed goons
Fear gripped staff and tourists at Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale County, after an attack by armed goons
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has broken silence after goons attacked staff and guests at the Pinewood Beach Resort in Diani, Kwale County.
In a statement via his X handle on Monday, November 27, CS Mutua said the government will take stern action against individuals who were involved in the attack.
“I have noted with concern the violence at Pinewood Beach Resort by hired goons. This behavior by receivers & auctioneers against hotels & restaurants will not be tolerated. Stern action is being taken. Upholding of the law & civility are key to encourage and not deter visitors,” the Tourism CS stated.
The incident which happened on November 17 left Pinewoods Beach Resort staff and guests injured with some losing valuables of unknown amounts.
Police officers were forced to fire in the air to deescalate the situation.
The latest incident according to the hotel management is the second, that has risked crippling the business, currently hosting tens of tourists from across the world.
In a statement on Sunday, the hotel owner and Managing Director Alnoor Kanji accused a receiver manager of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) of being behind the violent attack.
“We are grateful that none was killed,” he said of the November 17 attack that forced police to fire in the air, to restore peace and order.
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“Without the protection of armed police and the courage of our staff, this may not have been the case. Tourist police had to intervene with gunfire while our staff were forced to fight the attackers head on.”
The hotel is at the center of a legal dispute, as KCB seeks to take over its management, but has since been restrained by a High Court sitting in Mombasa, until the case challenging its intended move is heard and determined.
The High Court in Mombasa set January 9, 2024 as the mention date for the case. It was issued by Justice Peter Mulwa.
“We fear that despite attaining a clear court injunction to prevent any party from taking over, they will continue to unlawfully to forcefully gain possession,” he said.
Deborah Cartwright, a tourist from the United Kingdom, who is also a nurse practitioner, offered help to injured staff during the recent attack.
“I attended to a security guard who had a deep right sided head wound,” she said.
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