(NAIROBI) – A legal dispute over a copper scrap metal consignment originating from Juba, South Sudan, has reached Kenya’s High Court in Nairobi. The case involves Interpol Kenya and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accused of unlawfully impounding the goods.
Twinkle Consolidated Services Limited, the trading company behind the consignment, is seeking court orders for the release of copper valued at KES 52.7 million, which is equivalent to US$408,527 or approximately SSP 1.88 billion at current exchange rates. The metal was seized on 15 June 2025 at Busia border point during transit from South Sudan to Nairobi through Uganda.
Twinkle’s operations director, Jamil Kafumbe, a Ugandan national, claims the goods had valid clearance from customs and revenue authorities in South Sudan (Nimule border), Uganda (Elegu), and Kenya (Busia).
Despite presenting documentation, the trucks were reportedly stopped and impounded by DCI officers in Busia following a theft complaint that originated in Uganda and was later refiled in Kenya. The complainant was identified as Khalid Muhamud, now named as a respondent in the court case.
Kafumbe says the cargo, transported in two trucks, was later transferred from Busia to DCI headquarters in Nairobi on 18 July 2025 by drivers allegedly hired by Interpol Kenya, without informing the company. Twinkle is treating this as an unlawful action.
Three other companies — Sarcard General Trading Company Limited, 3 Shenton Way, and Empower Women Co. Limited — have also claimed interest in the same consignment.
The detained trucks were held at the Busia DCI yard. The drivers and three security escorts were arrested and released on cash bail of KES 10,000 each, which equals US$77.52 or SSP 356,000 per person.
Twinkle has filed a petition against the Attorney General of Kenya, Interpol Kenya, Busia DCI, Khalid Muhamud, and the three rival companies. It is requesting an official court declaration confirming its ownership, an injunction barring other parties from claiming the goods, and an order for the DCI to release the copper.
The company has also accused the DCI and Interpol of working in collusion with external parties in a plot to take the cargo illegally, alleging that the seizure was driven by false claims.
“There is a clear and calculated scheme involving DCI Busia and Interpol Kenya to deprive our company of the cargo,” said Kafumbe in court filings. Twinkle maintains the goods were lawfully purchased and documented.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned at the Milimani High Court on 30 July 2025 before Justice Alnasir Visram. The respondents have not yet submitted their replies.
| Details of Consignment | Amount (KES) | Equivalent (USD) | Equivalent (SSP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrap Copper (2 Trucks) | KES 52.7 million | US$ 408,527 | SSP 1,878,224,200 |
| Cash Bail per Person (5 total) | KES 10,000 each | US$ 77.52 | SSP 356,000 |
