MOMBASA, KENYA – A high-profile legal battle involving prominent Kenyan businessman Imran Khosla has taken a dramatic turn, with allegations surfacing that his dealings may be tied to notorious drug baron Punjani and a web of international gold trading networks.
The controversy, detailed in court documents, centers on a disputed property transaction that has raised questions about Khosla’s wealth and his connections to powerful figures.
According to court filings, the dispute stems from a property allegedly purchased by Fareena and Amyraz from Fatmabai, a transaction that has since unraveled. Zahra, representing Fatmabai’s interests, claims the property deal cost her mother Sh10 million in lost rent since 2014. In an affidavit, Zahra alleges that Khosla, introduced as “Imar” by the property’s management, occupied the premises and paid service charges, suggesting a discreet acquisition to obscure the source of his funds.
Khosla, a wealthy tycoon known for hosting extravagant events—including a lavish wedding for his son attended by President William Ruto—has vehemently denied these claims. His legal team, Asinal and Associates, argues that his inclusion in the case is baseless and rooted in hearsay. “The grounds for enjoining the fourth defendant are not factual,” they stated, urging the court to dismiss his involvement unless Zahra can provide concrete evidence. Khosla has also demanded his name be struck from the suit, asserting he has no interest in the contested property.
The case has taken a contentious twist with counterclaims questioning Zahra’s legal standing. Khosla and co-defendants argue that Zahra lacks the authority to represent Fatmabai, citing her failure to comply with Kenya’s Mental Health Act, which governs the management of estates for individuals deemed mentally incapacitated. They further allege that Fatmabai used the property as collateral for a loan she failed to repay, complicating the ownership dispute.
Ties to Punjani and Gold Trade Speculation
What has gripped public attention, however, is the alleged link between Khosla and drug baron Punjani, a figure long associated with Kenya’s underworld.
Sources cited by Weekly Citizen claim the Punjani family’s “dirty work” may have intersected with Khosla’s business ventures, a connection underscored by Punjani’s presence at Khosla’s son’s wedding. The event, marked by a convoy of Ferraris and Bentleys, left many Kenyans speculating about the tycoon’s vast fortune.
Khosla’s business portfolio—spanning gold trading between Kenya and Dubai, security supplies, and mining—has fueled further suspicion.
The Weekly Citizen report draws a provocative parallel to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia linked to gold mining in Darfur and allegedly backed by Nairobi’s State House.
The RSF, led by Mohammed “Hemedti” Hamdan Daglo, is said to operate financial networks through front companies and banks in Sudan and the UAE, raising questions about whether Kenya has become a hub for illicit gold transiting to the Gulf.
“Is Kenya now a transit point for Sudan’s gold deals to the UAE?” the Weekly Citizen asked, pointing to Khosla’s State House connections as a potential linchpin. While no direct evidence ties Khosla to the RSF, the speculation has amplified scrutiny of his wealth and influence.
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