This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani has returned to Kenya, but the circumstances surrounding his return remain unclear.
According to highly-placed sources, police officers who were investigating Punjani for alleged drug trafficking were instructed to go slow on the matter ahead of his return from India, where he had allegedly gone to seek specialized treatment.
On Monday, Punjani denied reports that he was wanted by authorities, stating that he was a free man.
He sent a WhatsApp message to a Nation journalist, claiming to be in Mombasa and attaching a photo of himself holding a copy of the Daily Nation dated September 16.
However, reports that he had sneaked into the country through Tanzania were widely circulated on social media.
County Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi distanced himself from warnings issued earlier by his predecessor that Punjani would be arrested as soon as he set foot in the country.
While in India, Punjani had moved to court to seek an anticipatory bail to block his arrest following police warnings that he would be arrested.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji refuted reports that a warrant of arrest had been issued against Punjani, stating that they had not shown any intentions to arrest him.
However, Haji added that Punjani had only 'panicked', hence the move to court.
Former Mombasa County Commander Johnston Ipara had earlier maintained that Punjani was a drug trafficking suspect and would be arrested once he arrived in Kenya.
