Ranguma has not bought Imperial Hotel, say owners

The proprietor of Kisumu’s Imperial Hotel has said the facility has not been sold to governor Jack Ranguma contrary to claims in political campaign rallies.

Amin Gilani, the executive director of Mayfair Holdings Limited, which owns the hotel, said yesterday he will engage his lawyers over the matter as it could “pose a threat to the businesses especially during this political season.”

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Addressing the media in Kisumu, Mr Gilani said Mayfair Holdings had no intention of selling the hotel.

“The hotel has not been sold and I want to set the record straight that we have no intention of selling it. Ranguma has never even indicated to me his intention of buying it,” Mr Gilani said.

Claims that Mr Ranguma acquired the three-star hotel emerged during a Nasa campaign rally at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu last Wednesday when the crowd shouted its name and linked it to the governor.

They pointed at the hotel prompting Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o to challenge the governor to come clean on the claims.

Prof Nyong’o is challenging Mr Ranguma for the governor seat on the ODM party ticket.

Mr Ranguma is defending the seat as an independent candidate.

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“We want the governor to tell us whether and how he acquired the hotel,” Prof Nyong’o said.

The senator vowed to launch an audit on the county’s assets and liabilities if elected and ensure perpetrators of corruption face the law.

Mr Gilani said the claims are in bad taste as they “could pose great risk to my staff and clients”.

There was drama outside the hotel last week when striking nurses camped there claiming the governor had acquired it yet he “could not pay nurses.”

When contacted, Mr Ranguma denied buying the hotel, terming the allegation as political propaganda.

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“Those are unfounded allegations that nobody should believe. We ask our opponents to desist from political propaganda that can pose threat to local investors,” he said.

Mr Gilani said: “I want this matter to rest and challenge those making such unsubstantiated remarks over the sale to give evidence if at all they have because the hotel is owned by Mayfair Holdings Limited.”