A company linked to Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi protested a raid by police and Kenya Railways officers who stalled its operations in Mombasa.
Kencont Container Freight Station (CFS) in Mombasa, a subsidiary of the Siginon Group, was raided on Friday.
It was later sealed off.
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, 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 said.
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.
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.
The operation was entirely under the Kenya Railways Police command and supervised by a top Kenya Railway official.
The motive and legality of the actions remain unclear, as there has been no official communication from Kenya Railways regarding the markings.
Other sources said a senior official in the government wants to take over the field.
A Mombasa-based legal professional has raised concern over the sudden and unexplained marking of property under private ownership by individuals suspected to be acting on behalf of Kenya Railways Corporation (KR).
Residents and business owners in the surrounding areas are now calling on the government and relevant authorities to clarify the status of the land and whether any eviction or demolition orders have been issued.
Gideon Moi’s media house The Standard has been harsh on the government with sharp and critical stories.
This has angered many in government.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
