A French diplomat working at the French Embassy in Nairobi, alongside his partner, has been accused of failing to honor an agreement with a local real estate agent.
Hellen Njeri Nderu, the agent, claims she was approached on Facebook by a French couple, Luc Camilleri and Ricard Magaly, seeking help in finding a rental house in Nairobi.
The couple, who had recently moved to Kenya with their two children, both work for the French Embassy.
They needed assistance finding a suitable home after relocating.Hellen alleges that after discussions with Luc, they reached a verbal agreement for her services.
She was advanced Ksh 20,000 to cover expenses for house hunting.
After searching, she found a furnished house that the couple liked, but the rent exceeded their budget.
Hellen discovered the house could be rented for much less if taken unfurnished.
She informed the couple, who were pleased with this option since they had shipped their furniture from France.
Beyond finding the house, Hellen claims the couple requested her assistance in sourcing additional items such as furniture, curtains, and electronics.
For her services, she proposed a fee of $3,000, which she said was fair considering the savings she had negotiated for them Ksh 130,000 monthly over five years.
The couple reportedly agreed and signed the lease agreement.However, after signing the lease, Hellen says the couple stopped communicating with her.
When she followed up for her payment, she alleges they blocked her number and ceased all contact.
This prompted Hellen to seek help from the French Embassy.
On October 17, 2024, she met with an embassy officer named Mr. Jimmy, providing him with WhatsApp messages as evidence.
Mr. Jimmy assured her that he would look into the matter, but she has not received any response since.
Hellen sent multiple letters to the Embassy, all unanswered.
Feeling frustrated, she filed a complaint at the Diplomatic Police Station in Gigiri.
However, when an officer attempted to contact Luc for a comment, the situation took a dramatic turn.
The officer was reportedly summoned by her superior to explain why she was “summoning” a diplomat.
Hellen believes the evidence in her communications with the couple supports her claim, even though there was no written agreement.
She insists she is owed the $3,000 for her services and is determined to pursue justice.
Whether her efforts will yield results remains to be seen, but the case highlights the challenges faced when dealing with diplomatic figures, especially those representing foreign embassies.
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