Two Decades of Pain: How Business Rivalry Turned Personal for the Joho Family

Mombasa tycoon Abu Joho’s emotional court testimony reveals the human cost of a bitter business feud that has terrorized his children and destroyed family peace

The courtroom fell silent as one of Mombasa’s most powerful businessmen broke down, recounting a conversation that no parent should ever have with their child.

“‘Daddy, are we eating halal food?’” Abubakar Ali Joho, known as Abu, recalled his daughter asking him. When he assured her they were, she followed with a question that cut deep: “‘Why are people writing these things about us on the internet?’”

This heart-wrenching exchange, revealed during testimony at a Mombasa court on May 23, 2025, offers a rare glimpse into the devastating personal toll of what has become one of Kenya’s most bitter business rivalries—a two-decade war of words and accusations between Abu Joho and fellow tycoon Mohamed Jaffer that has spilled from corporate boardrooms into family living rooms.

The Making of Moguls

At the center of this feud are two titans of Kenya’s coastal economy. Abu Joho, elder brother to Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho, built his empire through Autoport Container Freight Services Ltd, specializing in cargo handling, fertilizer trading, and real estate. His operations include Autoport Freight Terminus and Portside Freight Terminal—strategic assets in Kenya’s crucial port logistics chain.

His nemesis, Mohamed Jaffer, commands an equally formidable business empire anchored by Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd (now Bulkstream Ltd), which holds the monopoly on mechanical bulk grain handling at the Port of Mombasa. For three decades, Jaffer’s operations dominated the lucrative port rail and fertilizer sectors—until Abu arrived.

“Jaffer is my business rival, and he also deals in fertilizer just like me. We compete in port rail services and cargo handling. But this is not healthy competition—especially when it targets my family,” Abu testified before Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo.

When Competition Turns Toxic

What began as business competition in Kenya’s multi-billion shilling port logistics sector has morphed into something far more sinister. According to Abu’s testimony, the rivalry intensified when he disrupted Jaffer’s three-decade monopoly by entering the port rail and fertilizer business.

“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 declared in court.

The businessman claims this disruption triggered a systematic campaign of character assassination that has lasted over two decades. “For over 20 years, I’ve received such letters, all stemming from business rivalry. My family—especially my children—have suffered immensely from these damaging claims,” he told the court.

The Digital Weapon

The latest chapter in this saga involves Matilda Maodo Kinzani, allegedly Jaffer’s personal assistant, who faces four criminal charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act. Prosecutors allege she published false information online, including claims that Abu was involved in drug trafficking, land fraud, and had aided his brother Hassan Joho in embezzling Sh40 billion from Mombasa County coffers during his tenure as governor.

The defamatory content, which surfaced during the politically charged Gen-Z protests in 2024, painted Abu as a drug dealer who “hides drugs in rice” and a land grabber who stole Kenya Railways property. Most painfully for Abu, the attacks targeted his family’s dignity, including malicious claims about his mother’s personal life and suggestions that he was “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,” Abu testified, his voice breaking with emotion.

A Family Under Siege

Perhaps the most devastating aspect of Abu’s testimony was his description of how the campaign has affected his children. The businessman, worth millions and commanding respect in Kenya’s business circles, found himself having to defend his family’s honor to his own 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. The questions, he said, “deeply hurt” him and showed how the attacks had penetrated the most sacred space—his family home.

The timing of the latest attacks, during the Gen-Z protests when “Kenya was burning,” added another layer of danger. Abu reported the matter to police, fearing for his family’s safety amid the political tensions.

“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 explained.

The Price of Rivalry

What makes this case particularly significant is how it illustrates the collateral damage of high-stakes business competition in Kenya. While corporate rivalries are common, the Joho-Jaffer feud demonstrates how such conflicts can escalate beyond boardrooms to destroy families and traumatize children.

Abu’s testimony reveals a man who, despite his wealth and influence, has been powerless to protect his family from a sustained campaign of vilification. “My family—especially my children—have suffered immensely from these damaging claims,” he emphasized, his words carrying the weight of two decades of accumulated pain.

The businessman maintains that his operations are legitimate and denies all allegations of wrongdoing. “My business is genuine and I have never engaged in drug trafficking or grabbed land belonging to Kenya Railways,” he stated firmly.

Beyond Business

Interestingly, Abu holds no personal animosity toward Kinzani, the woman accused of authoring the latest defamatory content. “I respect her family. I never had a problem with them until now,” he testified, even stating that he would “hug her” if investigations proved she wasn’t responsible for the attacks.

This magnanimous stance suggests that Abu sees Kinzani as a pawn in a larger game orchestrated by his business rival. His real grievance is with the system that allows business competition to be weaponized against innocent family members.

The Broader Implications

The Joho-Jaffer case raises important questions about business ethics and the regulation of Kenya’s port sector. With both men controlling critical infrastructure at the Port of Mombasa—East Africa’s largest port—their rivalry has implications beyond personal vendettas.

The port handles millions of tons of cargo annually, serving not just Kenya but landlocked countries like Uganda, South Sudan, and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Any disruption to operations or unfair competitive practices could have regional economic implications.

Justice Delayed

As the case continues, with Kinzani out on Sh300,000 cash bail, Abu’s quest for justice represents more than personal vindication. It’s about establishing boundaries for business competition and protecting families from the toxic spillover of corporate feuds.

“You can’t drag my name through social media just because of business rivalry. If you have a problem, report it to the police,” Abu declared, calling for a return to civilized business practices.

A Father’s Pain

At its heart, this story is about a father trying to protect his children from the sins of the business world. Abu’s emotional testimony—from his daughter’s innocent questions about halal food to his desperate attempts to shield his family from online attacks—reveals the human cost hidden behind Kenya’s gleaming corporate success stories.

“You can’t insult my family and expect me to keep quiet. My business is legitimate. All I want is justice,” Abu concluded his testimony, his words echoing the plea of every parent who has watched their children suffer for battles they didn’t choose.

As this legal drama unfolds in Mombasa’s courts, it serves as a stark reminder that in the ruthless world of high-stakes business, the most vulnerable victims are often those who never entered the arena—the families left to pick up the pieces of corporate wars they never signed up to fight.

The case against Matilda Maodo Kinzani continues, with the court expected to hear from additional witnesses in the coming months. Both Abu Joho and Mohamed Jaffer’s representatives declined to comment beyond their court testimony.