This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
December 3, 2019, marked a significant day for Joseph Kaguru, a former assistant commissioner at the port of Mombasa. His career, which had been marred by controversy and allegations of corruption, took an unexpected turn when he was appointed as the regional coordinator for the Coast region.
According to sources, Kaguru's rise to power can be attributed to his close connections with the current Commissioner General, James Mburu. The two are said to have a long-standing relationship, with Mburu reportedly serving as Kaguru's godfather.
During his tenure as assistant commissioner, Kaguru was accused of overseeing the disappearance of 210 cargo containers from the port in a record two days. The incident, which occurred in 2010, resulted in significant losses for the government, with estimates suggesting that billions of shillings were lost in revenue.
Kaguru's involvement in the scandal was further compounded by his alleged role in facilitating the release of undocumented containers of highly valued ethanol from the port of Mombasa in 2018. The incident raised concerns about tax evasion and corruption within the authority.
Despite facing numerous allegations of corruption, Kaguru has managed to maintain his position within the authority. His appointment as regional coordinator has sparked concerns about the influence of powerful individuals within the government and the potential for corruption to go unchecked.
