Kenya Revenue Authority allows flow of cargo from Joho's companies

Seals from two container freight stations belonging to the Mombasa governor's family were yesterday removed to allow clearance of cargo.

The cargo had been held at the Autoports Container Freight Station and Portside Freight Terminal since last week, when the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) suspended licences over alleged holding of contraband sugar.

Legal problems for the two stations owned by Governor Hassan Joho's family began on January 20 when the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) suspended delivery of cargo to his stations. The High Court suspended the decree for 21 days but the two stations ran into new trouble when KRA imposed its restrictions last Friday.

Mombasa County Governor Hassan Ali Joho congratulates ODM candidate Willy Baraka Mtengo during a press conference in which ODM party unveiled a new candidate for Malindi who will be the party's flag bearer in the March 7th 2016 by-election in19/01/2016. (PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/ STANDARD)

Yesterday, there were reports that the two stations had returned to the High Court for new orders to try and lift the siege by KRA that has crippled them and forced out about 1,200 workers.

On Saturday, KRA claimed it had allowed the two stations to release all cargo, which had been cleared by customs, but alleged the two stations had refused to do so.

However, the two stations denied KRA's claims, saying the authority's seals had not been removed from the containers.

Yesterday, KRA removed the seals it had mounted on the gates of the stations to pave way for importers to collect their cargo.

A spot check by The Standard showed that although cargo was allowed to leave the two stations, no new goods were allowed in. Freight station officials indicated they had moved back to court.

Portside Freight Terminals Limited Managing Director Hamid Sadru confirmed yesterday the station's lawyers had moved back to court but did not divulge more information on the matter.