Mombasa businessman Abubakar Ali Joho, alias Abu, has claimed that his entry into the port logistics business, which disrupted a three-decade monopoly by tycoon Mohamed Jaffer, is the reason behind a sustained smear campaign targeting him and his family.
Mr Abubakar, who operates Autoport Freight Terminus and Portside Freight Terminal, told the court he has been subjected to a barrage of online abuse.
CS Hassan Ali Joho’s brother makes rare court appearance to deny drug trafficking claims
He believes the attacks are being orchestrated by individuals linked to his business rival, Mr Jaffer, who owns Bulkstream Ltd, formerly Grainbulk Handlers Limited.
Testifying before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo, Mr Abu recounted receiving a disturbing phone call from a friend, alerting him to a defamatory letter circulating online.
The letter allegedly made grave accusations, including involvement in drug trafficking, land fraud, and aiding his brother — former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho — to embezzle up to Sh40 billion from county coffers.
“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 said during examination-in-chief led by State Counsel Barbra Sombo.
He reported the matter to the police due to the political tension that engulfed the country at the time, following the Gen Z-led nationwide protests.
“Kenya was burning at the time, so I got afraid. I consulted and was advised to report the matter to Central Police Station on July 23, 2024. I couldn’t stay silent and risk being attacked,” he said.
Upon reporting the incident to the Mombasa police boss, he was directed to file a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, where he hoped investigations would reveal the source of the malicious claims.
Mr Abubakar said he later learnt that the letter allegedly originated from Mr Jaffer’s secretary — his main business rival at the port.
“This is not business competition. It’s character assassination. It has affected me, my business, and my family,” he lamented.
Mr Abubakar was testifying in a case where Matilda Maodo Kinzani is accused of falsely claiming in a WhatsApp group that Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Ali Hassan Joho and Mr Abu defrauded Mombasa County of over Sh40 billion.
Mombasa businessman Abubakar Ali Joho testifies in a Mombasa court in a case where a woman is accused of defaming him.
Photo credit: Mkamburi Mwawasi | Nation Media Group
Ms Kinzani is also accused of linking Mr Abu to drug trafficking and the theft of containers at the Port of Mombasa.
She faces four criminal charges under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act for publishing false information.
The charge sheet indicates that the accused knowingly circulated a message titled “To the Government of Kenya and the Gen Z,” falsely claiming that Mr Abu was involved in drug trafficking.
According to the prosecution, the statement was likely to damage Mr Abu’s reputation.
She is also alleged to have posted false claims on social media accusing Mr Abu of illegally acquiring Kenya Railways land in Mombasa, and of stealing containers from the port.
On Friday, Mr Abu, the prosecution’s first witness, told the court that the defamatory statements had traumatised his children.
“‘Dad, are we really feeding from honest income? We read that it’s claimed you put drugs in rice and sell it to people,’” he recounted his children asking him, adding that the questions deeply hurt him.
He affirmed that his business is genuine and that he has never engaged in drug trafficking or grabbed land belonging to Kenya Railways.
He dismissed the allegations as baseless and an attempt to tarnish his name and derail his influence in the logistics industry.
“You can’t drag my name through social media just because of business rivalry. If you have a problem, report it to the police,” he said.
“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,” Abu asserted.
During cross-examination by Ms Kinzani’s lawyer, Michael Oloo, Mr Abu confirmed he does not personally know the accused but acknowledged that she has been a long-time secretary or aide to Mr Jaffer.
“I respect her family. I never had a problem with them until now,” he said.
Mr Abubakar said he had previously been the subject of many accusations but never had sufficient evidence to take legal action—until now.
Responding to questions from his lawyer Paul Buti, the businessman said he was not aware of any official report that had exonerated Ms Kinzani from involvement in the publication of the defamatory letter.
“If it’s proven that the document didn’t originate from Ms Kinzani, then I’ll hug her,” he said, emphasising that all he seeks is justice.
He added that although he and Jaffer are business competitors, the rivalry turned toxic when it extended to his family and defamed his mother, who has no involvement in his business.
“You can’t insult my family and expect me to keep quiet. My business is legitimate. All I want is justice,” he concluded.
