On November 20, 2018, the Nyakundi Report archive shows Hassan Joho’s family back in the export and import business, months after the March 9 Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The latest sign was a banner placed on an SGR container reading, “Autoports Freight Terminal Limited - your navigator in the logistics world - supporting the SGR.”
The return is notable because KPA ordered the closure of Portside and Autoports freight terminals in 2016 after allegations that the facilities were tied to smuggling of multimillion-shilling goods. The companies went to court seeking permission to keep operating, while KRA opposed that bid and argued that allowing them to continue would interfere with investigations and cause major losses in government revenue.
Joho, who at the time was not on good terms with President Uhuru Kenyatta, also objected to the government’s plan to open Nairobi’s Inland Container Depot. He said the move would cost Mombasa residents jobs.
The Association of Importers of Kenya said the shutdown was illegal and accused the Uhuru administration of failing to follow the proper legal process. AIK also said the closure was driven by a political witch-hunt meant to make Joho’s family absorb losses.
Even with the protests, the Uhuru administration did not permit Portside and Autoports freight terminals to receive cargo from the harbour.
The wider political backdrop in 2016 also included pressure on other opposition figures. NASA co-principals Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula were among those targeted by the Jubilee administration, while police raided the offices and home of businessman Jimmi Wanjigi.
After Uhuru and Raila agreed on March 9 to begin talks aimed at ending political hostility, Joho later embraced the Handshake and was seen accompanying and hosting Uhuru at several events.
Related archive links in the source pointed readers to earlier reports on the closure of Joho’s container depots, his denial that the business was dirty, and KRA’s warning that the depots should remain shut.
