Kenya: Armenians in fresh dispute over company

Daily Nation , Kenya
March 25 2006

Armenians in fresh dispute over company

Story by NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 3/26/2006
The case of the alleged mercenaries has taken another turn.

A Nairobi businessman has written to the Registrar of Societies
protesting that a company allegedly owned by the two Armenian men at
the centre of the mercenary saga is using a name identical to that
used by his firm.

In a letter to the Registar-General last Friday, lawyer Harith Sheth
complains that his clients are the registered shareholders of
Kensington Holdings Ltd.

It reads: “Arising from recent reports in the press our clients have
learnt with great surprise that there is yet another company being
called Kensington Holdings, apparently registered on January 8, 2005
… we demand an explanation from yourselves as to why a second
company was allowed to be registered with a name identical to that of
our client company. Our clients have nothing to do with the
controversy mentioned in the press. We therefore demand an apology
from yourselves for permitting a second company with an identical
name to our client company to be registered. We require you to either
strike off the second company or have its name changed to a different
name.”

Press reports have named the controversial brothers, Artur Margaryan
and Artur Sargasyan, as partners with Ms Winfred Wangui, the daughter
of prominent Narc activist Mary Wambui, as partners in a company
called Kensington Holdings Ltd.

Mr Sheth is representing Mr Karim Gulamhussein Bhanji and Mr Amirali
Gulamhussein Bhanji.

According to documents made available to the Sunday Nation,
Kensington Holdings was first registered in February 13, 2004 by a
Nairobi lawyer, Mr Mohammed Madhani, and his wife, Mrs Shemin
Madhani.

Mr Madhani explained that on May 19 the same year, he and his wife
resigned as directors and handed over their interests in the company
to Karim and Amirali Bhanji, who to date remain the shareholders and
directors.

The Registrar was duly notified of the change of ownership. According
to Mr Sheth, his clients have not sold the company or invited other
persons to be shareholders and directors.