Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) over the weekend led a multi-agency operation, targeting two Container Freight Stations (CFSs), among them Kencont – a facility reportedly linked to the family of the late former President Daniel arap Moi.

The operation, which began under the cover of darkness on Friday night, saw security personnel and KRC officers surround the Kencont facility in Mbaraki, adjacent to the Kenya Ports Authority’s Mbaraki Sports Club.

By Saturday afternoon, police vans had taken positions at the site, and by 3:20 pm, a yellow bulldozer stood on standby, ready to kick off what KRC officers said was a mission to reclaim 22 acres of their land hosting the two private properties.

Over 100 metres of the perimeter wall were marked with red Xs—Kenya Railways’ signature demolition sign.

According to Kencont’s legal officer, the markings were sprayed overnight without prior notice, effectively paralysing operations at the busy cargo hub.

The situation escalated further early Sunday morning.

At around 4:00 AM, KRC officials, accompanied by armed police, stormed both Boss Freight and Kencont CFS, forcefully breaching the gates in a pre-dawn swoop that stunned staff and sent shockwaves through the regional logistics industry.

Despite the absence of court orders or eviction notices, KRC officials produced a title deed dated April 30, 2025, which they claimed proved government ownership of the prime Mbaraki land. Kencont’s legal team vehemently rejected the document, terming the operation unlawful and the land grab accusations baseless.

“This is a reckless, high-handed move by the government,” said Kencont Group Legal Officer Eva Odongo in a statement issued from Mombasa on Sunday, May 18. “We have not received any legal notice, nor have we been shown credible evidence to support these claims. The land we occupy is legitimately leased from private landlords who possess valid title deeds with up-to-date land rates payments.”

Odongo added that the raid has disrupted operations critical to regional trade, causing losses running into billions of shillings. “We are a one-stop cargo clearance facility serving importers from across East Africa—including South Sudan. Goods on transit are now stranded, creating a logistical nightmare for clients who rely on our services.”

Kencont CFS hosts multiple government agencies, including Customs, KEBS, Anti-Radiation, and Vehicle Registration, streamlining clearance for vehicles and other machinery. The facility’s closure, Odongo warned, threatens not just regional commerce but also hundreds of local jobs.

“Our operations have always been above board,” she emphasized. “We are a law-abiding organization and are ready to present genuine legal documents to defend our position. We urge Kenya Railways to engage with us in a lawful, respectful manner rather than resorting to force and public misinformation.”

She condemned the raid as an “unprovoked act of harassment and intimidation,” warning that such tactics could tarnish Kenya’s image as a regional logistics hub.

Odongo noted the dawn weekend raid was carefully choreographed by the perpetrators as it ensured “zero access to the Courts for justice.”

The operation sparked speculations about a wider and potentially politically charged campaign to reclaim contested public land in Mombasa. However, with no clear legal basis made public and the standoff escalating, it remains unclear what the next step would be.

For now, Kencont and its clients await clarity in a battle that could reshape the landscape of cargo logistics at the Coast.

KRC officials on the ground did not address the press or issue a statement on the matter amidst reports that  Managing Director Philip Mainga had declined to issue a statement on the matter.