Businessman Samuel Kamau Macharia raided the Nairobi offices and announced he had taken over its management.
Witnesses at the offices in Hazina Towers said Macharia and his group broke down doors before he announced he had fired some staff.
This was against a court order stopping his moves.
There is a tussle for control of the firm.
Directline is the leading insurer for commercial PSVs, covering matatus and buses. Despite a slight drop in market share—from 64.95% in early 2023 to 59.79% in 2024—Directline remains the dominant player in the PSV insurance market.
The matter was reported to the Central police station and the matter to the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
The principal officer and the chief executive officer Sammy Kanyi said he had reported the matter for an investigation.
He said he expected police to take action.
Police later visited the offices and said they are investigating the drama.
A court had last year stopped Macharia from attempting to take over the firm. He has been tussling with the management for its control.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the Suit herein, a temporary injunction is hereby issued restraining the 1st to 6th and 12th Defendants/Respondents whether by themselves, their servants or agents or any of them from purporting to terminate or hire any new employees or in any other manner whatsoever interfering with the contracts of employment o f the Plaintiff/Applicant’s employees and from issuing any orders, directives or instructions to or regarding any independent contractor working for or with the Plaintiff/Applicant.”
“Pending the hearing and determination of the Suit herein, a temporary injunction is hereby issued restraining the 1st to 6th Defendants/Respondents whether by themselves, their servants or agents or any o f them from purporting to act for o r o n behalf of the Plaintiff/Applicant i n any capacity whatsoever,” the order said.
“Pending the hearing and determination o f the Suit herein, a temporary injunction i s hereby issued restraining the 1st t o 6th Defendants/Respondents whether by themselves, their servants, agents o r any o f them from physically accessing the Plaintiffs/Applicant’s offices at Hazina Towers or elsewhere and/or any other premises or property of the Plaintiff/Applicant.”
They were also stopped from signing any cheques or effecting any money transfers or otherwise issuing any
directives, instructions or any orders whatsoever to any of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s Banks or any other bodies, persons or corporations holding any monies, bonds, properties or other investments on behalf of the Plaintiff/Applicant unless expressly authorised by Resolutions from the Plaintiff/Applicant’s Shareholders and/or Board of Directors (as approved/elected by the Plaintiff/Applicant’s Shareholders) or by order of the court.
Another court stopped Macharia from airing cautionary ads that warned the public against dealing with Directline Assurance.
The insurer had sought the court order, claiming that the ads, broadcast by Macharia’s Royal Media Services, were defamatory and harming its financial position.
IRA defended Directline, affirming that it is legally registered and bound to honor all claims.
IRA CEO Godfrey Kiptum assured the public that “All insurance policies issued by Directline Assurance remain in full force… Any purported status to the contrary is void of legal effect.”
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