Mombasa-based Gas and Grain tycoon Mohamed Jaffer has been exposed for milling cheap maize flour at the expense of Kenyans’ health.
Jaffer is the proud owner of Africa Gas And Oil (AGOL) company that owns Proto Energy Limited under which the Pro gas LPG company resides.
He is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Grain Bulk Handlers Limited (GBHL).
GBHL is a grain terminal specializing in discharge and handling bulk grain imports at the Port of Mombasa.
The firm is Mohamed Jaffer’s brainchild from over 30 years ago and to date it has become Africa’s largest grain terminal.
He is also the Chairman of MJ Group, Kenya’s largest provider of cargo-handling services.
The billionaire has enjoyed the monopoly of controlling Mombasa port and the liquified gas industry, winning multi-billion contracts from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
This led him to get in the bad books of then Deputy President William Ruto who vowed to stamp out Mohamed Jaffer’s cartel once he ascends to power.
Following his successful election, Ruto brought in Tanzanian business mogul Rostam Aziz to increase competition and counter Jaffer’s monopoly.
Mr. Aziz, who reportedly financed Ruto’s campaigns, planned to take over the gas industry that Mohamed Jaffer had been controlling.
His cheap “Taifa Gas” is set to hit the market soon, and this seems to have pushed Jaffer into submission.
Jaffer has recently shifted his allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza government, and he has held several meetings to try to resolve their differences.
Mohamed Jaffer Cheap maize flour
This is where it gets interesting.
The recent reduction in the price of maize flour, which has been a source of headache for the government and one of the reasons for the opposition’s protests, could be a sign that the tycoon is in good standing with the government.
Jaffer’s affiliated maize brands, Umi and Ajab, have drastically reduced their prices through his company Grain Industries Limited (GIL).
Remember Mohamed has a significant advantage in handling grains through GBHL, which handles most imports through Mombasa Port.
However, a section of opposition bloggers has cast heavy doubt on the legitimacy of this hasty change in the prices of Jaffer’s products.
Some have argued that he could be aiding the government in publicizing the purported drop in the price of maize flour, while Kenyans on the ground continue to report the contrary.
In one thread of tweets seen by cnyakundi.com, a firebrand opposition blogger accused Jaffer of using leftover grains from GBHL stockpiles to produce his cheap Umi and Ajab unga.
“What you need to know is that Jaffer can even sell his unga at Ksh40 bob and he’ll still make profits because he neither grows maize nor imports. What Jaffer does is grain storage.
He bulk stores maize for several companies across EAC countries. Whatever remains ‘in store’ belongs to him. It is this leftover maize that he then mills and sells under his Ajab/Umi brand. Jaffer can afford to play UDA uncouth maize politics,” the blogger tweeted.
MOHAMED Jaffer appears to have HIRED Itumbi & Hussein Mohammed to MARKET his Unga (Umi/Ajab) that he’s priced at below Ksh 200. What you need to know is that Jaffer can even sell his UNGA at Ksh40 bob and he’ll still make PROFITS because he neither grows maize nor imports. /1 pic.twitter.com/aPfXD91ktY
— J A K O N Y A N G O (@Disembe) April 18, 2023
What Jaffer does is grain STORAGE. He BULK stores maize for several companies across EAC countries. Whatever remains ‘in store’ belongs to him. It is this LEFTOVER maize that he then mills and sells under his Ajab/Umi brand. Jaffer can afford to play UDA uncouth maize politics.
— J A K O N Y A N G O (@Disembe) April 18, 2023
Major maize flour brands are not going to sell their products cheaply as being peddled by Jaffer/UDA hatchet men. What Jaffer/UDA nexus is doing is creating a situation where the market is full of contraband flour, but to what cost to human safety? You will diarrhea!!!
— J A K O N Y A N G O (@Disembe) April 18, 2023
You can buy UDA/Jaffer’s “toxin free” UMi/Ajab Maize flour but don’t be duped to think that the price of flour has been lowered.
Also, Itumbi/Hussein don’t buy or eat Umi/AJAB.
They use the brands for propaganda.
YOU NOW KNOW.
— J A K O N Y A N G O (@Disembe) April 18, 2023
It is disgraceful that the Kenyan government would prioritize its political propaganda over the health and safety of the citizens they are supposed to serve.
By aligning themselves with Jaffer, a businessman accused of putting profits ahead of people’s health, the government is sending a message that they are willing to overlook the welfare of the people for their own benefit.
Kenyans deserve better than to be poisoned with poor-quality maize flour just to promote the illusion of a decrease in the price of basic commodities.
The government should focus on serving the interests of the people rather than their own political ambitions.
How can this kind of reckless behavior be tolerated in a functioning democracy?
