The glitz and glamour often associated with flamboyant city businessman Chris Obure has been overshadowed by mounting legal troubles. A long-standing dispute over Nairobi’s upscale Senteu Plaza has spiraled into allegations of forgery, unpaid rent, and criminal charges—painting a dramatic picture of the cutthroat world of real estate battles in Kenya.
From Tenant to Would-Be Owner
The conflict began in October 2017, when SBS Dunhill Group (East Africa) Ltd, linked to Obure, leased office space on the first floor of Senteu Plaza. The lease, which expired in August 2023, quickly became riddled with challenges as SBS Dunhill repeatedly defaulted on rent payments—often blaming frozen bank accounts for the delays.
By November 2022, the company had shifted its focus to acquiring the building outright. Through its affiliates, SBS Dunhill expressed interest in purchasing either the entire Senteu Plaza or just the leased floor. However, the property owners, led by Ajeetkumar C. Shah and others (ACS), rejected the proposal, insisting the building was not for sale. They were, however, open to discussions on renewing the lease.
Rent Arrears and Eviction Orders
Despite the lease expiry, SBS Dunhill continued to occupy the premises without paying rent, leading to arrears that ballooned to over Kshs. 47 million. On May 16, 2025, ACS secured an eviction order from the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, marking a decisive victory in the landlord–tenant standoff.
Explosive Forgery Allegations
Things escalated further during hearings at the Environment and Land Court. Obure, testifying for SBS Dunhill, admitted the company had not paid rent since September 2023. The firm also claimed to have wired a staggering Kshs. 981 million towards the property’s purchase, but failed to produce verifiable proof.
Instead, documents presented were dismissed as internal records, with ACS insisting no payments were ever received. A forensic document examiner later dropped a bombshell—confirming that signatures of the late Mr. Chhandulal Shah (a former ACS director) and the company’s stamp had been forged on SBS Dunhill’s documents.
This revelation directly implicated Obure, who now faces criminal charges including:
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Forgery
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Conspiracy to commit a felony
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Giving false information to a public officer
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Uttering a false document
Frozen Funds and Ongoing Criminal Case
To add another twist, the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) froze funds linked to the alleged property deal, suspecting the money may have been proceeds of crime. That case remains active before the Chief Magistrate’s Anti-Corruption Court.
The Final Showdown in Court
The Environment and Land Court wrapped up hearings in July 2025, with both parties now preparing written submissions. A judgment date is expected later this year, setting the stage for what could be a landmark ruling on corporate accountability and real estate fraud in Kenya.
For now, all eyes remain on Chris Obure and SBS Dunhill Group as the saga continues to unravel.