Govt Intervenes After Armed Goons Attack Beach Hotel, Tourists & Staff [VIDEO]
The Friday, November 17 attack was part of two violent attacks by the armed goons, with both incidents reported to local police in Diani
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![Govt Intervenes After Armed Goons Attack Beach Hotel, Tourists & Staff [VIDEO]](https://viraltea.co.ke/uploads/images/2023/11/image_750x_65646e4c1dd92.jpg)
UPDATE: Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua has revealed that the government will take stern action against a crowd of armed goons who stormed Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale County on two occasions.
In a statement, Mutua hinted at receivers and auctioneers hiring goons to carry out the daring exercise which saw an unknown number of hotel staff and guests suffering injuries.
"I have noted with concern the violence at Pinewood Beach Resort by hired goons. This behaviour by receivers & auctioneers against hotels & restaurants will not be tolerated.
"Stern action is being taken. Upholding of the law & civility are key to encouraging and not deterring visitors," stated Mutua on X.
CCTV footage emerged on Sunday, November 26 showing a crowd of armed goons invading Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale County and attacking as well as robbing staff members and guests of the hotel.
The 2:19 footage seen by Viral Tea began when a white Nissan Note stopped in front of the main gate leading to the hotel as two men stepped out of the vehicle.
Thereafter, two matatus and a series of other vehicles crowded outside the gate and out emerged a mob who engaged the security officers manning the entrance, threatening to gain access by force.
With the security officers outnumbered, the hotel's chefs were summoned for help as the mob grew agitated and rattled the gate as the officers and chefs battled to drive them away.
Here is the video:
Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani has encountered two violent attacks by armed goons, in incidents that left guests and staff with injuries. Both incidents were reported to local police in Diani, Kwale County.#Brekko pic.twitter.com/KpnlynEdVx — Ghetto Radio (@GhettoRadio895) November 27, 2023
The crowd however responded by pelting them with stones and other weapons, turning the area into a battle zone as a Land Rover Defender was parked and used as an additional shield.
How the mob then gained access to the hotel remains to be unseen as the chaos triggered panic across the premises' guests who included a mother and children.
The mob accosted a staff member and clobbered him with rods before robbing him of his valuables and leaving him unconscious before fellow staffers and a guest rescued him.
Photos subsequently shared in the clip showed the guests offering first aid to those injured in the melee.
Another cutscene showed an elderly woman guest robbed by one of the goons while next to the hotel's swimming pool as others stormed the area with guests present.
The chaos even spread to the beach whose guests were not spared as others fled the dining area for cover.
The Friday, November 17 attack was part of two violent attacks by the armed goons, with both incidents reported to local police in Diani as Kenyan tourism stakeholders asked to speak out against the attacks linked to an intended bank takeover.
The hotel managed to secure restraining orders against a takeover bid by a local bank, pending the hearing and determination of the case. A mention date was set for January 9, 2024.
The hotel owner and Managing Director Alnoor Kanji said some security guards from a local firm were part of the attackers, adding that the recent attack happened when the resort was hosting some 60 tourists from Europe.
“We are grateful that none was killed,” he said of the attack that forced police to fire in the air, to restore peace and order.
“Without the protection of armed police and the courage of our staff, this may not have been the case. Tourist police had to intervene with gunfire while our staff were forced to fight the attackers head-on.”
He lamented that the incidents were meant to bring down the facility, at a time when the country’s tourism sector is in a recovery mode, further linking the incident to a bank receiver of the English Point Marina.
Kanji wants the bank receiver manager to be probed, for allegedly “organizing this attack, for what they have done is illegal, criminal and with no regard for human life let alone the reputation of Kenya.”
