Businessman Peter Muthoka has sold his cargo business Transglobal Cargo Centre Limited for Sh5.2 billion. Muthoka has sold his business which is based at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to German firm Celebi Cargo GMBH.
This sale has already received approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).
“The transaction [sale of Transglobal to Celebi Cargo] is unlikely to negatively impact competition in the market for cargo handling in Kenya, nor elicit negative public interest concerns,” the CAK stated in a notice that was issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Muthoka has been operating the business under the brand name Africa Flight Services (AFS), which is currently ranked as the largest cargo handler for exports.
According to data from the Kenya Airports Authority, AFS (Africa Cargo Handling) handles 33 percent of exports ahead of Kenya Airways Cargo which handles 22 percent of exports. However, when it comes to imports, AFS handles 20 percent with Kenya Airways handling 32 percent.
READ MORE: We paid fake Canadian Embassy official Brian Obare Sh80m for visas
The deal will now see Celebi Cargo GMBH make its entry into the Kenya market. According to a statement by the company, Celebi has acquired Muthoka’s business at $40.1 million (approximately Sh5.172 billion at an exchange rate of 129 to the US dollar).
“Çelebi Aviation has closed on the acquisition of 100 percent of Transglobal Cargo Centre Ltd. (AFS) for $40.1 million, marking the company’s entry into Kenya’s rapidly expanding aviation services sector. The acquisition is in line with Çelebi’s international growth strategy and is expected to increase synergies among group companies,’ the company stated.
According to Celebi Aviation chief executive officer Dave Dorner, the acquisition is strategically based on the expected growth of the local aviation market.
“Kenya is a key gateway for trade and cargo flows across East and Central Africa. We are going to combine AFS’s strong local expertise with Çelebi’s global experience, modern systems and operational standards to support Kenya’s ambitions as a regional trade and logistics hub,” he said.
Celebi noted that the aviation market in Kenya is forecast to grow at an average rate of 5 percent per year over the next five years, significantly outpacing the International Air Transport Association’s projected global average of 3.3 percent.
