MOMBASA, Kenya—A bitter leadership dispute has erupted within the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), with rival factions now headed for a High Court showdown after rejecting the outcome of the association’s March 2026 elections.
The wrangles escalated on Tuesday after a section of officials dismissed the elections as fraudulent, alleging widespread irregularities and infiltration by non-members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Addressing journalists in Mombasa, KIFWA National Secretary Musa Mbira accused the organisers of overseeing what he termed a “sham election” and urged members to remain calm as the dispute moves through the courts.
“As an association, we respect the rule of law and we believe any disagreement should be resolved legally and peacefully,” Mbira said.
“We are asking all members to remain united and patient as we await the court’s direction.”
Mbira claimed that a majority of those who participated in the March 26 elections were not legitimate members of the association, thereby compromising the credibility of the process.
“The elections were a complete sham. Nearly 70 per cent of the people who attended the AGM were not KIFWA members,” he alleged.
The dispute has now landed before the High Court after two members filed a petition challenging both the conduct and outcome of the elections.
According to the faction, a directive issued on April 20 ordered fresh elections for the Mombasa branch to be conducted within 30 days, with the secretariat expected to issue a formal notice next week in consultation with the Registrar of Societies.
Even as tensions continue to simmer, the officials insisted that KIFWA operations remain stable and uninterrupted.
“The secretariat is fully operational and continues to serve members within its mandate,” Mbira stated, while cautioning members against confrontations and the spread of false information likely to inflame the standoff.
KIFWA Chairman Rajab Hamisi said the association’s constitution ordinarily allows former officeholders to remain in office pending the determination of court cases touching on leadership disputes.
However, he noted that his faction had voluntarily stepped back from direct control to avoid accusations of interference.
“We have chosen to allow the secretariat to handle operations until the court gives further direction,” Hamisi said.
He further warned government agencies and stakeholders in the freight and logistics sector against recognising instructions or communication issued by rival groups claiming authority within the association.
“Only official communication from the secretariat should be recognised until June 9, when the matter comes up in court,” he added.
Hamisi dismissed claims that politicians were influencing the wrangles, insisting the dispute was purely an internal association matter and had not affected service delivery.
He also defended the current leadership structure, saying KIFWA officials now serve three-year terms under the association’s amended constitution.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned before the High Court on June 9, setting the stage for what could become a major legal and leadership battle within one of Kenya’s key freight and logistics lobby groups.
