A company linked to Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi has protested a raid by police and Kenya Railways officers who stalled its operations.
Kencont Container Freight Station (CFS) in Mombasa, a subsidiary of the Siginon Group, was raided on Friday.
By Sunday morning, the premises were still heavily guarded by police officers backed up with private security guards, who the company says gained forceful entry.
The CFS’s legal officer, Ms Eva Odongo, said the officers demanded access to the facility on accusations that the land it occupies is held illegally.
“They had no proof to support their malicious allegations. The truth of the matter is that the land occupied by Kencont CFS is leased from landlords. Kencont CFS are tenants. Our landlords have genuine title deeds with up-to-date payments,” she stated.
Evah Odongo, Legal Officer for Kencont Container Freight Station (CFS).
Photo credit: Kevin Odit| Nation Media Group
According to the company’s profile, the Kencont CFS brand lies within Siginon Group, which is the corporate umbrella brand.
Siginon is a logistics cargo handling firm with interests in global logistics, ground handling, air cargo handling and CFS operations.
The company is among assets that former president Daniel Moi had passed on to Gideon, besides the Standard Group, Moi High School, Kabarak, Moi Educational Centre, Sacho High School and Kiptagich Tea Estates, according to documents seen earlier by the Daily Nation.
Ms Odongo said Kencont CFS was licensed in 2002 and houses officers from all government agencies involved in cargo clearance for importers including Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), customs officials, Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) among others.
She added that the company was willing to present all legal documents required and the forceful entry into their premises was uncalled for.
“As Kencont CFS, we condemn this heinous incident, which has put our professional services at risk with huge consequences, including the risk of job losses to many Kenyans. Our operations are and have always been above board. We strongly detest the harassment and intimidation by the Kenya Railways Corporation and the police,” she said.
Efforts to reach the former Baringo Senator for a comment were futile as his known phone numbers could not go through.
Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
A senior police officer in Mombasa confirmed the raid, but insisted that the operation was entirely under the Kenya Railways Police command.
Ms Odongo called for a quick resolution to the matter, which has affected their services.
