Mohamed Jaffer wins court payout over highway land

Mombasa tycoon Mohamed Jaffer has secured a major legal victory after the Environment and Land Court ordered the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Land Commission (NLC) to compensate him for land taken during the expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

The ruling, delivered on November 26, offers a rare reprieve for Jaffer, whose influence in Kenya’s port logistics sector has recently faced challenges from rivals and political figures. The case, insiders say, underscores growing tensions in the coastal business community, where competition for control over trade and transport assets has intensified.

KeNHA, NLC must pay Jaffer, Doshi

Justice presiding over the Malindi court directed KeNHA and NLC to pay Jaffer and his business partner, industrialist Ashok Doshi, full compensation for parcels of land in Mariakani, Kilifi County, within 60 days. The two men had filed the suit after authorities demolished a perimeter wall and began construction without following proper acquisition procedures.

The court found the government had failed to provide notice, conduct inquiries, allow participation, or carry out valuations before clearing the property in January. No compensation or formal award had been offered, the judgment noted, highlighting what lawyers described as a clear breach of procedure.

Jaffer continues to secure Mombasa grain operations

Jaffer, chairman of MJ Group, has long been a central figure in Kenya’s logistics and port services. His company, Grain Bulk Handling Limited (GBHL), has controlled grain imports at the Port of Mombasa for nearly 30 years, a critical entry point for East Africa’s trade.

GBHL’s operations now stretch inland. Last year, the company opened a grain-handling terminal in Nairobi’s Embakasi area. The facility moves bulk shipments directly from Mombasa to the capital, aiming to reduce costs and ease congestion. The move strengthens the reliability of supply chains that feed Kenya’s growing food and industrial sectors.

The court victory not only secures compensation for Jaffer but also reinforces the principle that businesses affected by government projects are entitled to fair treatment. The outcome may set a precedent for others whose assets are caught up in public infrastructure development.