The DCI took charge of Uchumi supermarket headquarters and restricted the landlord from accessing the building.
In a court session that was held on Monday, Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), Uchumi’s landlord, through its lawyer, argued before Justice Mary Kasango that it had been denied access after throwing out the supermarket.
“We stopped Uchumi from gaining access to the premises.
“We have negotiated with Uchumi but the director of criminal investigations locked the premises, so we do not have access,” explained the KNTC lawyer.
However, Uchumi’s lawyer pointed out that they were aware that the building was now under the control of the DCI office but have no clue as to why that decision.
Uchumi had been kicked out by KNTC on October 2 due to a failure of the supermarket to offset their rent arrears.
The supermarket then filed two petitions seeking to have the court compel the landlord to allow its employees access to the premises.
The amount of money the retailer owed to the building managers is unknown, as KNTC are yet to reply to the petitions.
The embattled business firm on its part claimed that the decision by the corporation was against the court order issued on the same day they were kicked out.
The order given suspended all judgments, decrees, attachment of properties, or distress for rent against the retailer.
KNTC was given two days to respond to the petitions by the High Court after which it would appear in court on October 25 to receive further instructions.