Assistant director of Temple Point Ian Langer speaking during a prize giving day for candidates who scored 300 marks and above sponsored by the Temple Point management. (Photo-Victor Wanaswa)
Watamu Community members have condemned the ongoing Wrangles over the ownership of a Sh. 1 billion controversial hotel in Watamu saying it was impacting negatively to the tourism sector.
The community that has witnessed a series of court disputes, fights and controversies between a German Couple Hans Jurgen Langer and Zahra Langer with Isaac Rodrot a Kenyan and Stefano Uccelli an Italian engaged two members of county assembly and local leaders have declared in public they would support the current management.
Dabaso Ward member of County Assembly Emmanuel Kombe Changawa and his Watamu Ward counterpart George Baya Mramba joined the community and urged them to desist from being used to cause violence in the hotel ownership dispute.
They openly said the real owner of the controversial hotel was known but asked them to wait for a clear interpretation of the courts on the judgment issued.
All of them unanimously said they were supporting the German investor as he had been involved in promoting the community since he took over the hotel
The leaders and the community came together during a prize giving day and feast for candidates who scored 300 marks and above sponsored by the Temple Point management.
Present at the ceremony were Assistant director of Temple Point Ian Langer, staff of the hotel led by the resident Manager Mumba Ngundi, local leaders, village elders, parents , youths and pupils from Dongokundu primary school
The area MCA particularly raised concern in the manner in which police officers went with the police and tried to force in the Kenyan and Italian Investor to take over the hotel two weeks ago causing tension in the resort.
He told locals to leave the battle for ownership of the hotel to the investors to sort out their issues .
However he was quick to point out that if Rodrot takes over the hotel locals will not have any stake in the hotel.
Changawa said the local committee which was disbanded recently was to blame for not pushing for the rights of the locals.
On his Part the Watamu MCA said he was shocked to see Malindi OCPD with a contingent of police storming the hotel with Rodrot to take over.
He said Rodrot is a former employee and called on the court to interpret the orders so as to have smooth running .
“I urge locals not to be misused to cause violence, let the court interpret the ruling,’’ he said.
Rodrot and Uccelli got court orders from the court of appeal in a judgment that upheld another Judgement from Malindi high court by Justice said Chitembwe in 2015.
He has since vowed to use any means to get back his property so as to continue with business.
Langer however said Rodrot was a liar who wanted to take over the hotel illegally.
He said since the wrangles begun the management has spent a lot of money in the court battles making it difficult to operate smoothly and even fund more development projects.
The assistant director said their plan as to open an international cooking school Diving school to train locals using international cooks.
Already he said they have ordered two Biogas machines which would be given to locals to produce vegetable for sell to the hotel.
He said they would build a market for products to be displayed for sell to the hotel and other resorts.
Locals who spoke said they recognized the German investor and vowed to support him to ensure the hotel under him.