Tourism CS Alfred Mutua has revealed that the national government is planning to take stern action against individuals who attacked and injured guests and staffers at Pinewood Beach Resort last week.
In a statement on Monday, Mutua revealed that the attackers were most probably goons hired by auctioneers.
"I have noted with concern the violence at Pinewood Beach Resort by hired goons. This behaviour by receivers and auctioneers against hotels and restaurants will not be tolerated," the CS stated.
"Stern action is being taken. Upholding the law and civility is key to encouraging and not deterring visitors."
The government's intervention comes a day after industry players including hospitality workers staged protests against the two separate attacks that took place last week.
In the first instance, the rowdy youth were captured on CCTV hurling stones at guests, some of whom had arrived at the facility in private cars.
The footage showed the men trying to cut the locks at the gate before throwing stones into the facility.
Over the weekend, another group of goons raided the hotel in an attempt to take over the facility in what was believed to be a lender-motivated coup.
This time around, the goons were in possession of crude weapons such as machetes and sticks. The attack seemed well coordinated.
On Sunday, the owner of the facility, Alnoor Kanji told the press that no one was killed but a number of staffers sustained injuries.
"Without the protection of armed police and the courage of our staff, this may not have been the case," Kanji noted.
"Tourist police had to intervene with gunfire while our staff were forced to fight the attackers head-on."
Several workers in the industry held protests on Sunday demanding action from both the government as well as stakeholders within the industry.
They claimed that the attacks raised safety concerns for thousands of individuals who draw their livelihoods from working in the industry.
