Joho’s International Transport Business Worth Billions

In 2021, Autoport secured rights to take over operations of the taxpayers'-funded inland cargo terminal in Nairobi

Ali Hassan Joho is the Deputy Party leader of ODM and the immediate former Governor of Mombasa county. With his brother Abu Joho, the Johos have built one of the biggest international freight businesses in the country.

Their Mombasa-based firm, Autoports Freight Terminals Limited, has over the years locked down a number of lucrative contracts putting them at the heart of regional trade in East Africa. Autoports is licensed to operate container freight stations (CFS) – warehouses where export and import shipments are consolidated or deconsolidated.

In 2021, Autoports secured rights to take over operations of the taxpayers’-funded inland cargo terminal in Nairobi, sparking protests from rival logistics firms eyeing the lucrative opportunity. The company received exclusive rights from the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) to use of the Nairobi Freight Terminal (NFT), located near the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminal in Syokimau.

A notice by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) dated August 17th 2021 indicated that the company would handle all containerised and conventional cargo from the terminal.

See >> Inside Raila Odinga’s Multi-Billion Energy Business

The company also secured a contract that made it the sole handler of South Sudan’s imports. It offered a strong logistical set-up as its deal with Kenya Railways handed it a terminal at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot, which is connected to the SGR and allows convenient evacuation of cargo from the port of Mombasa.

It was feared that the Johos would lose the contract after President William Ruto won the 2022 General Elections, particularly after Ruto ordered for all port operations to revert to Mombasa, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. Joho had supported Ruto’s rival Raila Odinga.

READ > Meet Tanzanian Gas Billionaire Entering Kenyan Market

South Sudan, however, piled pressure on the Kenyan government to maintain Autoports as the sole handler of its cargo. A government notice to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Railways eventually informed them that Autoports Freight Terminals Limited would continue to be the sole handler of South Sudan cargo – a major win for the Johos.

In 2021, the firm was also awarded a multi-billion shilling contract by the Kenya Ports Authority to develop a second grain bulk handling facility at the Mombasa port. The deal was, however, suspended by the High Court.

NEXT READ > Meet Ghanaian Mogul Behind Kiss, Classic, Radio Jambo & More

Latest

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

Transforming Financial Inclusion: The Impact of M-Pesa in Kenya and Beyond 

Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.

All You Need To Know About Vaping

Vaping, the act of inhaling vapour produced by an...

A Look at New Generation Ford Vehicle Models Trending in Kenya

The new partnership between Ford and Caetano offers the brand an opportunity to gain market share in Kenya by leveraging on Caetano’s extensive network and experience.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.

New Spotify EQUAL Artist Qing Madi Talks Music and Dreams

Heavily influenced by her cultural background and the lyrical arrangements of Kendrick Lamar, the versatile Nigerian prodigy is shaping the future of music with her unique genre-bending fusion of Afrobeats, Pop, Soul and R&B.

Bob Collymore Immortalized in New Festival

The late Collymore was famous for his love for jazz and even initiated the Safaricom Jazz Festival, which saw several of the world's biggest Jazz artists perform in Nairobi.
BUSINESS TODAY
BUSINESS TODAYhttps://businesstoday.co.ke
editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

Transforming Financial Inclusion: The Impact of M-Pesa in Kenya and Beyond 

Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.

All You Need To Know About Vaping

Vaping, the act of inhaling vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device, has a relatively short history compared to traditional tobacco smoking. The...

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here