In July 2014, the life of the famed Billionaire Shahid Pervez Butt was tragically ended in a shooting near the Moi International Airport in the Coastal City of Mombasa.
At the time, the tycoon was travelling with his son in tow when he was involved in the incident that saw him shot 25 times. However, the attackers spared his son.
Leading to his demise, Pervez led a controversial life and was at some point accused of stashing money in the Jersey Islands, a well-known tax haven.
The ascend of the tycoon to billionaire status was silent as his businesses were shrouded in secrecy and mystery, which the public only got a glimpse of after his demise.
Known by many who knew him as a tough negotiator, Pervez preferred to run his multiple business, including the ubiquitous Modern Coast Company, himself and served as its managing director.
Under his umbrella was the transport company alongside Vantage Point Clearing and Forwarding and Vantage Road Transporters involved in logistics and clearing business, that has spread its wings, not just in the Coastal area but in the region as well.
Established in 1985, the Modern Coast Group, which is the most visible of the three, has endeared itself as a comfort-driven luxury ride operating across major towns and cities in East Africa. It has presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
At the time, the businessman also owned prime parcels of land and made millions after selling them to the state in the 1990s as the government unveiled plans to construct a road.
When the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) put up a new container terminal, the access road had to pass through his land and a court battle ensued after he quoted Ksh915 million. It is not clear whether an agreement was finally reached.
All through his business dealings, however, Pervez had numerous run-ins with the law enforcement officers after being accused of stashing his wealth in offshore accounts.
By the time of his demise, the tycoon reportedly stashed millions of shillings in the Jersey Island as well as in another popular tax haven known as Bermuda Islands and enjoyed the privacy.
In June 2014, the Mombasa billionaire had appeared in court for the hearing of a terror-related case where he was accused of funding and radicalization of youths in Mombasa.
After his passing away, a fierce legal battle ensued involving his two widows and his son over the control of the vast estate. The two widows were Regine Butt and Akhtar Butt.
Assets listed in the petition filed by Shahids the second wife include shares in the family businesses Modern Coast Express Limited, Vintage Road Transporters, Blue Bell Properties and a number of parcels of land.
Regine wanted to be included in running the estate and demanded a Ksh1.5 million monthly stipend. The case is still ongoing.
