In a rare court appearance that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s port logistics industry, prominent businessman Abubakar Ali Joho has publicly accused his business rival Mohammed Jaffer of orchestrating a sustained smear campaign targeting him and his family with false drug trafficking allegations.
Testifying before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo on Friday, the brother of Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho painted a damning picture of corporate warfare that he claims has crossed the line from business competition into character assassination.
Breaking a Three-Decade Monopoly
At the heart of the dispute lies Joho’s entry into the port logistics business through his companies Autoport Freight Terminus and Portside Freight Terminal, which he says disrupted Jaffer’s three-decade monopoly through Bulkstream Ltd, formerly Grainbulk Handlers Limited.
“He has had a monopoly for 30 years. Now that I’ve entered the business at the port, that’s where our problems began. He’s the monopoly—I am not,” Joho declared during his testimony, directly naming Jaffer as the orchestrator of the alleged campaign.
The businessman described receiving a disturbing phone call from a friend alerting him to a defamatory letter circulating online that made grave accusations against him, including involvement in drug trafficking, land fraud, and claims that he aided his brother in embezzling up to Sh40 billion from Mombasa County coffers.
Personal Attacks Cross the Line
What appears to have particularly incensed Joho were attacks on his family’s dignity, including allegations about his mother’s personal life and claims labeling him “a child born out of wedlock.”
“The allegations labelled me a child born out of wedlock. That hurt me deeply. You can’t abuse my family and expect me to stay silent,” he told the court during examination-in-chief led by State Counsel Barbra Sombo.
The impact extended to his children, who reportedly confronted him with disturbing questions. “‘Dad, are we really feeding from honest income? We read that it’s claimed you put drugs in rice and sell it to people,'” Joho recounted his children asking, describing how the questions deeply hurt him.
Police Report Filed Amid National Tensions
The businessman reported the matter to police on July 23, 2024, during a period of heightened political tension following nationwide Gen Z-led protests.
“Kenya was burning at the time, so I got afraid. I consulted and was advised to report the matter to Central Police Station. I couldn’t stay silent and risk being attacked,” he explained.
Joho later learned that the defamatory letter allegedly originated from Jaffer’s secretary, further cementing his belief in his rival’s involvement.
Court Case Against Alleged Perpetrator
The testimony came in a case where Matilda Maodo Kinzani, allegedly Jaffer’s long-time secretary, faces four criminal charges under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act for publishing false information.
Kinzani is accused of circulating messages on WhatsApp falsely claiming that CS Ali Hassan Joho and his brother Abu defrauded Mombasa County of over Sh40 billion, and linking Abu to drug trafficking and container theft at the Port of Mombasa.
During cross-examination, Joho confirmed he doesn’t personally know Kinzani but acknowledged her long-standing association with Jaffer. “I respect her family. I never had a problem with them until now,” he stated.
Seeking Justice, Not Revenge
Despite the accusations, Joho maintained a measured tone, emphasizing his desire for justice rather than revenge. “If it’s proven that the document didn’t originate from Ms Kinzani, then I’ll hug her,” he said, adding that all he seeks is justice.
The businessman firmly denied all allegations against him, stating his business is legitimate and that he has never engaged in drug trafficking or illegally acquired Kenya Railways land.
“This is not business competition. It’s character assassination. It has affected me, my business, and my family,” he lamented, drawing a clear distinction between fair commercial rivalry and what he characterized as a malicious personal attack.
Industry Implications
The case highlights the intense competition in Kenya’s lucrative port logistics sector, where new entrants face established players with decades of market dominance. Joho’s allegations suggest that the battle for market share has escalated beyond conventional business practices into the realm of character destruction.
As the case continues, with Kinzani out on Sh300,000 cash bail after denying all charges, the outcome could set important precedents for how business disputes are conducted in Kenya’s maritime industry and the consequences of crossing the line from competition into defamation.
The case represents a rare public glimpse into the normally private world of high-stakes business rivalries at one of East Africa’s most important commercial hubs.
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