I have my differences of opinion with Muite but on this one I was sad for him and his family. Losing such a home and especially so at his age is tragic and can be a dangerously stressful. He tried to put on a brave face but it is tough,maybe mildly emasculating,for a man.
Could this be his only residential property? Trying to negotiate with (or force?) the new owner to accept him as a tenant seemed desperate. Granted it was worth a hefty chunk. I hope he has a 'fallback' home.
But despite all this,I do not see politicians pulling the strings on this. Double standards maybe but not overt political pressure.
By double standards I mean NBK are aggressively pursuing the guys whose political clout has diminished while bidding their time on the ones that can still make alot of powerful noise (thru' the powers that be) if you try and touch them. That may be the strategy they have adopted. I think it is something NBK has to live with until all the political loans of yesteryears are sorted out.
In addition,I do not completely buy Muite's claim that he offered them KES 150M and they refused and accepted a lower offer. I would rather believe the bank than a politician unless proven otherwise. First of all,it would be foolhardy for a bank to pull such a stunt on a politician. Obviously the guy will make a lot of noise. Why risk your business worth billions on a crooked deal worth millions? Doesn't make sense and I am sure the MD and Board have followed this issue closely.
Secondly,once you default,the disposal of the asset is at the Bank's discretion. Strictly speaking,you have effectively lost the right to the property. Any concessions by the bank is largely goodwill.
In any case,there are many gaps in that statement. When was the offer done if ever? (before or after the property was sold) Was it in cash or by installments? Had he done so before i.e. had he numerously promised to pay the full amount in cash over the 15-20 years the loan has been in arrears? What has his relationship been with the bank? (Bankers are people. Assume a hostile,haughty or dodgy stance when you default and you are likely to face harder times). Hopefully,one can get answers to these and many other questions from an independent party.
It would be interesting to have heard NBK's side of the story. However,any smart business person will,as much as possible,try and avoid engaging a politican in a mud-slinging media campaign.
Remember,politicians do not mind getting dirty while banks usually do.