For years, whispers of corruption at the Port of Mombasa have circulated among business operators, but recent complaints have now pointed directly to a Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) officer whose actions are said to be hurting trade at one of the region’s busiest entry points.
Traders say that Zipporah Njoki Kangara, who has worked as a quality analyst at the port since 2009, has been demanding bribes from them in exchange for clearing containers.
The payments are alleged to range between KSh150,000 and KSh2 million depending on the value of the goods, and without these payments, containers are reportedly delayed or withheld from release.
Many of those affected believe she often justifies her demands by claiming part of the money is forwarded to KEBS headquarters in Nairobi, giving the impression that she enjoys protection from within the institution.
This has raised fears that the problem may not be limited to her alone but could be part of a wider system of collusion. What has deepened the suspicion is her long stay at the Mombasa station, spanning over two decades, despite rules that usually require regular transfers to limit influence and prevent such patterns of corruption.
Her name has also been tied to luxury assets that traders say do not match her position as a junior officer.
Reports indicate she owns high-end vehicles, including a Land Cruiser with registration KCJ 007P and a Toyota V8 KBX 110W. Both cars are registered under her sister, Norah Nyambura Kangara, who is said to have no job, raising questions about proxy ownership.
Her residence in Utange, Bamburi, is also described as a multimillion-shilling mansion that would be difficult to finance with her official salary.
Traders claim she openly boasts of being untouchable, citing protection from KEBS top officials including the managing director and human resources department.
They suspect this protection stems from secrets she allegedly holds about senior executives, pointing to a culture of mutual protection that discourages accountability.
In addition, she is alleged to work with a group of associates, including an employee at the Kenya Revenue Authority, to deliberately create clearance bottlenecks at the port, forcing traders to pay more money to fast-track the release of their goods.
Questions have also been raised about her academic qualifications, with calls for an independent check to confirm if she meets the standards required for her role.
Business operators say her unchecked authority has made trade unnecessarily expensive, as those who refuse to bribe risk long delays, demurrage charges, and market losses, while those who comply are given priority.
The growing complaints have reached the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, with stakeholders demanding a lifestyle audit and a full investigation into her wealth. KEBS has been asked to explain why she has remained in the same office for over twenty years despite repeated grievances about her conduct.
Traders argue that the failure to act undermines Kenya’s reputation as a reliable trade hub for not only the country but also its landlocked neighbors who depend heavily on the Port of Mombasa.
A message from whistleblowers to Cyprian Is Nyakundi captured the traders’ anger. “Hi Cyprian. It has been reported that Zipporah Njoki Kangara, who is the Kenya KEBS officer attached to Mombasa, as a quality analyst, has been demanding bribes from business people who have containers at Mombasa. Zipporah demands from 150k -2 million in order for your containers to be released, she says part of the proceeds is sent to the head office in Nairobi. Zipporah Njoki Kangara has been working at Mombasa office since she was employed, which is from 2009 to date. Zipporah, whose academic credentials are in question, owns Land Cruiser registration number KCJ 007P and V8 KBX 110W Land Cruiser but registered under the blood sister Norah Nyambura Kangara, who has no job and has never been employed. She claims that the managing director KEBS and the HR will never touch her as they have their secrets. Which are these secrets? And why did one stay in one station for more than 20 years without transfer? One of the complainants asked. Zipporah Njoki Kangara lives a boss lifestyle, she stays at Utange Bamburi area in a multimillion house. The general public is calling upon the investigating authority to investigate the source of the money and why she has never been transferred despite the complaints. Zipporah, as a group of ladies, they collaborate with one of them who works with KRA. I will never be moved from Mombasa, you will go and find me here. MD will never listen to you to transfer me, the money you give, she gets the share, Zipporah responded to one of the business people. How can a junior officer own three luxury cars from salary?”
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