Exclusive: How Mombasa Tycoon Mohammed Jaffer Built an Empire Through Blackmail, Monopoly and Character Assassination

Abubakar Joho’s Brave Court Testimony Exposes Decades of Systematic Smear Campaign

By Kenya Insights Investigative Team

Mombasa, Kenya – In a watershed moment that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s business corridors, respected Mombasa businessman Abubakar Ali Joho has finally broken his silence, exposing what he describes as a calculated, decades-long campaign of character assassination orchestrated by his business rival, tycoon Mohammed Jaffer.

Speaking publicly for the first time in a Mombasa court during a defamation case, the elder brother of Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho painted a damning picture of how Jaffer has systematically used blackmail, fabricated scandals, and legal warfare to eliminate business competition while building his monopolistic empire.

The Victim Speaks: A Family Under Siege

For years, the Joho family has endured a barrage of accusations linking them to drug trafficking, massive corruption, and embezzlement – allegations that have now been traced back to what Abubakar describes as Jaffer’s orchestrated smear machine.

“This man has destroyed my family’s reputation for business gain,” Abubakar told the packed courtroom, his voice heavy with years of suppressed frustration. “We have been victims of the most vicious character assassination campaign, all because I dared to compete in sectors he considers his personal domain.”

The businessman, who operates Autoport Freight Terminus and Portside Freight Terminal, detailed how a viral letter – later traced to Jaffer’s camp – falsely accused him and his brother of stealing Sh40 billion from Mombasa County and trafficking drugs hidden in rice shipments. The letter even attacked their elderly mother, making salacious claims about her personal life.

“When someone attacks your mother, crosses every line of decency, you know you’re dealing with pure evil,” Abubakar said, fighting back tears. “This isn’t business competition – this is systematic destruction of human dignity.”

(Click to watch full video of Abu’s court testimony)

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The Smoking Gun: Jaffer’s Secretary Exposed

The breakthrough came when cybercrime investigators traced the defamatory content back to Matilda Maodo Kinzani, Jaffer’s personal secretary, who now faces criminal charges for her role in the smear campaign. Court documents reveal a sophisticated operation designed to flood social media and mainstream outlets with fabricated stories targeting the Joho family.

“For the first time, we have concrete evidence of who was behind these lies,” said a source close to the investigation. “This isn’t random gossip – this was a coordinated attack with one clear objective: eliminate Abu Joho from the port business.”

The Jaffer Monopoly Machine: How It Really Works

Kenya Insights‘ extensive investigation reveals that the attack on the Joho family is just one chapter in Jaffer’s playbook for maintaining monopolistic control across multiple sectors. Here’s how the empire operates:

1. The LPG Stranglehold: Crushing Competition Through Manipulation

Jaffer’s Pro-Gas company has maintained an iron grip on Kenya’s LPG market through what insiders describe as “regulatory capture.” Sources reveal he successfully lobbied to outlaw isotank transportation of LPG – a move that conveniently eliminated smaller competitors importing from Tanzania and Zambia.

His most vicious battle was against Taifa Gas, owned by Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Aziz. When legitimate competition threatened his profits, Jaffer allegedly:

• Funded fake civil society groups to file frivolous lawsuits
• Orchestrated protests based on fabricated environmental concerns
• Spread false safety reports about competitor facilities
• Used his political connections to create regulatory barriers

The operation was so brazen that Aziz was forced to complain directly to President William Ruto, leading to an investigation that exposed Jaffer’s tactics. Aziz has since been allowed to put up his plant in Kenya.

2. Regional Dominance: Cross-Border Monopoly Schemes

Tanzania: After President John Magufuli revoked Jaffer’s Import Container Depot license – a sweetheart deal originally granted by former President Jakaya Kikwete – Jaffer sued the Tanzanian government. The case remains unresolved, but sources say it’s part of his strategy to maintain regional logistics dominance.

Uganda: Jaffer acquired 200 acres in Tororo with plans to establish an ICD that would give him monopolistic control over Uganda’s import logistics. President Yoweri Museveni reportedly blocked the move after being briefed on Jaffer’s monopolistic practices in Kenya.

Vanga Fishing Port: Local sources report Jaffer is behind efforts to relocate indigenous fishing communities to gain exclusive control of this strategic coastal facility.

3. The “Gas Yetu” Betrayal: Sabotaging Government for Profit

Perhaps the most damaging revelation involves Jaffer’s alleged sabotage of the government’s subsidized Gas Yetu initiative – a program designed to provide affordable cooking gas to millions of Kenyan families.

Investigation reveals that Jaffer, fearing the program would undercut Pro-Gas profits, orchestrated a sophisticated campaign to kill the Sh3 billion project through:

• Strategic bribes to key officials
• Creation of artificial supply chain problems
• Spreading false technical reports about program viability
• Using his media influence to generate negative coverage

The result? Millions of Kenyans continue paying inflated gas prices while Jaffer’s profits soar.

4. The SGR Scandal: Billions Wasted for Personal Gain

Sources within the Uhuru Kenyatta administration reveal that Jaffer allegedly bribed officials to reroute the Standard Gauge Railway away from his Agol facility in Dongo Kundu. This seemingly minor change cost taxpayers billions in redesign fees and construction delays – all to protect Jaffer’s property values.

5. Land Grabbing: The Dongo Kundu Heist

The Sh3 billion land dispute with Mzee Gichanga represents Jaffer’s modus operandi perfectly. After offering a paltry Sh500 million for prime property valued at Sh3 billion by independent surveyors, Jaffer allegedly used legal manipulation and political connections to force the transaction.

6. Market Manipulation: The Aflatoxin Conspiracy

As Jaffer prepared to launch Ajab Millers, competing maize flour brands suddenly faced aflatoxin contamination scandals. Industry insiders allege he manipulated the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to target rivals while positioning his products as the “safe” alternative.

The Human Cost: A Family’s Decade of Suffering

What makes this case particularly tragic is the human cost of Jaffer’s business tactics. The Joho family has endured:

• Constant death threats and security concerns
• Damage to business relationships and opportunities
• Personal anguish from attacks on family members
• Enormous legal costs defending against fabricated charges
• Social ostracism based on manufactured scandals

“You cannot imagine what it’s like to wake up every day not knowing what new lie will be published about your family,” Abubakar said. “My mother, an elderly woman who has never hurt anyone, has been dragged through the mud. My children have been affected. This is not business – this is cruelty.”

Community Support: Mombasa Stands with Abu

The revelation has dramatically shifted public opinion in Mombasa, where Abubakar Joho is widely respected as a father figure and benefactor to thousands of families. Community leaders have rallied around him, with many expressing relief that the truth has finally emerged.

“Abu Joho is a man of integrity who has employed thousands and supported countless families,” said a prominent Mombasa religious leader. “We always knew these accusations were false, but now we know who was behind them.”

Local business associations have also condemned Jaffer’s tactics, with many revealing they too have been victims of similar intimidation campaigns.

The Wider Web: A Pattern of Destruction

The Joho case appears to be part of a broader pattern. Kenya Insights has identified numerous other businesses and individuals who report similar treatment from Jaffer’s organization:

• Competing logistics companies forced out of port operations through fabricated safety violations
• LPG distributors bankrupted by sudden regulatory changes favoring Pro-Gas
• Land owners pressured to sell prime coastal properties at below-market rates
• Government officials who refused cooperation facing manufactured scandals

“This isn’t isolated incidents – it’s a systematic approach to business that relies on destroying people rather than competing fairly,” said an industry analyst who requested anonymity.

The Legal Reckoning

As the defamation case continues, legal experts say Abubakar Joho’s testimony could mark a turning point in holding Jaffer accountable. The case has already resulted in criminal charges against Jaffer’s associates and opened new investigations into his business practices.

“This is the first time someone with Abu Joho’s stature has been willing to publicly challenge Jaffer’s empire,” said a legal expert. “It could encourage others to come forward and finally break the culture of fear he’s created.”

A Call for Justice

Abubakar Joho’s brave stand represents more than one man’s fight for his reputation – it’s a battle for the soul of Kenyan business ethics. His testimony has exposed how unchecked monopolistic power can corrupt entire sectors and destroy innocent lives.

“All I want is justice,” Joho concluded his testimony. “Not just for my family, but for every Kenyan who has suffered under this man’s ruthless pursuit of profit at any cost.”

As this case unfolds, it promises to reshape not just Mombasa’s business landscape, but potentially Kenya’s entire approach to monopolistic practices and business ethics. The question now is whether our institutions have the courage to hold powerful tycoons accountable, regardless of their political connections.

For the Joho family, vindication has been a long time coming. For Kenya, this case represents a critical test of whether truth and justice can prevail over money and manipulation.

This investigation is ongoing. Kenya Insights continues to welcome information from whistle-blowers and affected parties. Contact us for confidential reporting.