Importers and transporters caught up in a feud between two tycoons battling for control of prime warehouse facilities near the Mombasa port have won a reprieve after the High Court issued an order restraining one of the rival companies from interfering with two parcels of land where the warehouses stand.
The court issued the orders in favour of businessman Ibrahim Mahadi and his company, Mahadi Energy Limited, restraining, among others, Shabeel Projects Service Ltd or any person acting through it from interfering with their possession and use of the properties.
The parcels of land are located near the Mombasa port on Port Reitz Road.
Truck owners and traders who have been using the Mahadi Container Freight Station (CFS) have been stranded after a new owner took over the facility, with several imported consignments and empty containers in the yard.
Justice Gregory Mutai, sitting in Mombasa, certified as urgent the application by Mr Mahadi and his company.
Through lawyer Victor Origi, Mr Mahadi told the court that on October 4, 2025, Shabeel Project Services Ltd, through its agent Allan Otieno trading as Nextgen Auctioneers, invaded the two parcels of land with the help of station commander (OCS) Chaani police station and purported to evict them.
The applicants claim that the purported eviction was on the strength of an order issued on February 7 by a magistrate’s court authorising the OCS to provide security to facilitate access to the properties.
“The orders of police security were made ex parte by the lower court and without the existence of any foundation order giving any rights to Shabeel Project Services Ltd that would have been the basis for an order of police assistance,” part of the application states.
The applicants claimed that together with their associated company, Mahadi Container Depot, they carry out cargo handling business on the invaded properties, which is now being interfered with by the OCS acting on the instructions of Shabeel Project Services.
They argued that they had served the orders (reinstating conservatory orders) which had been issued by the court.
“Despite service of the orders, the OCS and his superiors have refused to allow the petitioners to resume their business operations on the property and are subjecting them to grievous, irreparable harm,” the application states.
In their main petition, Mr Mahadi and his company have sued Premier Bank, seeking to have it restrained from selling by public auction or interfering with properties charged to a Sh631.5 million loan.
