Ruto’s Man, Mohamed Jaffer Caught Again In Land Grab Scandal, This Time Nairobi National Park

Not new to controversies, Mohammed H Jaffer the powerful tycoon who was once linked to the brazen grabbing of riparian land at Kibarani, Mombasa County.

According to the National Land Commission, Jaffer’s Grainbulk Handlers Limited had irregularly grabbed up to 43 acres of the Indian Ocean within Kibarani, disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and negatively impacting the ecosystem of the region.

However, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the National Land Commission to revoke Kibarani dumpsite land allocation to “private developer” which was Grainbulk Handlers Ltd (GBHL).

Multi-billionaire Jaffer is the founder of the MJ Group, East Africa’s largest provider of clearing and forwarding services. His GBHL owns a grain terminal that specializes in the discharge and handling of bulk grain cargo at the Port of Mombasa. For long, he’s been a monopolist and competitors crying foul for being undermined as he uses his influence in the system to tune things to his favor.

GBHL boasts a turnover of $15 million and is the flagship company of MJ Group. Jaffer’s other business interests include Mbaraki Bulk Terminal in Mombasa, which deals in petroleum products; Africa Gas and Oil Company operating an LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) terminal at the port; Great Lakes Port Ltd as well as a container freight station at Changamwe in Mombasa that’s due for implementation. Other projects awaiting implementation include dry ports for Tororo, Uganda and Miritini in Mombasa.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: Powerful tycoon behind brazen Kibarani land-grab

GBHL was listed by NLC as among politically well connected tycoons who have encroached the sea and put up multibillion shillings properties including container freight stations and offices near the port of Mombasa.

Jaffer controversially built his business empire by leveraging on political patronage and was at one time the main benefactor of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga when he served as Prime Minister.

According to sources, as soon as Jaffer fell out with Raila he struck up a new relationship with DP William Ruto. Jaffer promised the DP political support in exchange of political protection. He is the force behind the defection of most Coast Opposition MPs to Ruto’s Jubilee faction.

Jaffer’s influence is not limited to the executive arm of government. He is reputed to be close to high ranking judges in the judiciary including Court of Appeal judge Alnasir Visram. So strong is his influence that one of his sons is employed at the Court of Appeal.

It is the reason Jaffer wins majority of cases filed against him or any of his firms; be it a demand by KRA for back taxes or against Kenya Railways whose huge tracts of land around the port of Mombasa GBHL has irregularly used to secure bank loans amounting to a staggering Sh45 billion.

Jaffer’s arms are extensive, he also owns the famous Ajab flour, Pro Gas and many others.

READ ALSO: GASHEIST: HOW GREEDY MOHAMMED JAFFER IS CORROBORATING WITH RUTO TO KILL ‘GAS YETU’ WITH ‘PRO GAS’

When Government announced a subsidized gas project in October 2016, it brought a ray of hope for Kenyans who often relied on firewood and kerosene, two energy sources that are not only inefficient but had them breathing in toxic fumes.

Mwananchi Gas project was to sell under the Gas Yetu brand and was meant to safeguard the poor from respiratory diseases caused by the use of firewood for cooking. It was also meant to contain the rampant destruction of forests.

In 2017 Gas Yetu was allocated Ksh2.2 billion for the period 2017-2019. A further Ksh700 million was allocated through a supplementary budget raising the total cost of the project to Ksh2.9 billion.

The project would have seen millions of households receive subsidized 6kg cooking gas cylinders at a cost of Ksh2,000.

5 million households were targeted with the Gas Yetu cylinders fitted with burners and grills.

The beneficiaries would refill them at a cost of only Ksh840 per cylinder.

This was however not to be. 2 years since it was launched Energy and Mining Principal Secretary Eng. Joseph Njoroge says the government shelved it due to budget issues.

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