Nairobi businessman Mukhtar Rehemtulla Omar alias Roy / BRIAN OTIENO A Nairobi businessman has warned young entrepreneurs to be wary of business rivalry, which he said may push them into depression if they do not have great mental strength.
Mukhtar Rehemtulla Omar, popularly known as Roy, is still reeling from the effects of what he says was a prejudicial and malicious case against him, which began in 2018 and ended in February 2024, when he was acquitted of all three charges against him.
“I have learnt from my vast experience that business, just like politics, is a dirty game. You have rivals who would go to great lengths to tarnish your name, backstab you and do all manner of things to kick you out of business,” Roy said.
He is the CEO of Roy Group of Companies, which has Roy Transporters Ltd, Roy Properties Ltd and Inc Ltd, among others under the group.
They deal with regional logistics with the core expertise being the transportation of bulk products including containerized cargo, perishable goods, abnormal loads, refrigerated and hazardous products, property management, among other ventures.
Roy had been charged with selling expired baby diapers and tampering with manufacturer details and import marks.
Speaking publicly for the first time, Roy, who is now turning into a business coach to help young people navigate the murky waters of business, told the Star the experience drove him to the brink of depression and only a strong support system, especially from his family, kept him sane.
With more than 40 years of experience running the company, the retired officer said every day is a learning day and despite experience, one can always learn new things.
He told young entrepreneurs they will face more hurdles if their rivals consider them (entrepreneurs) to be ahead of them (rivals).
“Back in 2018, I explored a diaper business and imported over 5,000 bales of easy diapers for sale in Kenya after having conducted a careful market study and foresaw a good profit margin out of it, which basically is the goal behind any business.
“We brought in the consignment, stored them in our Mlolongo godowns as we planned for the sale after securing various necessary permits and authorizations for the fitness purpose and the market from the various agencies including Kenya Bureau of standards,” Roy told the Star on phone.
Unfortunately, he said, his business rivals plotted something sinister.
“They occasioned my arrest and that of my associate. We were charged with the offence of fixing import standardisation marks without a valid permit, a move the prosecution claimed was a deliberate scheme to mislead consumers,” he said.
Roy said he was always confident of a victory in court because he knew he was innocent.
“After reviewing the evidence the court found out the prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, the consequence of which we were acquitted under section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” Roy said.
During the court process, he said, his rivals “clearly sponsored article for publication both in print and digital media” to malign his name in the eyes of prospective customers, clients, associates and even international community, where he serves as Kenyan ambassador in UNWPA (United Nations World Peace Association) and served in various capacities in international police associations.
He noted that the case was sensationalized, almost driving him into depression.
“The extensive publication of my alleged involvement in things I cannot do in my right conscience has left me with a dent. My reputation has seriously been tarnished.
“It is deeply painful to watch my name dragged into mud over accusations that I knew nothing about,” Roy said.
He noted that they suffered a decline in revenue and loss of business partnerships as many stakeholders distanced themselves during the period of intense scrutiny.
Roy said his acquittal underscored a delicate balance between consumer protection and fair business practice.
“While regulators and investigators must safeguard the public from substandard goods, enforcement must be grounded on clear evidence, not assumption,” he said.
He called on the media to also ensure balance in their reporting to avoid prematurely condemning individuals.
He said his experience raised important questions about how businesses are policed and how quickly reputations can be ruined.
Although, consumer safety remains paramount, industry insiders caution that regulatory investigations should be thorough and fair, not weaponised as tools against competition.
As Roy moves on, his story stands as a reminder that due process matters and that even when justice eventually prevails, the scars of malicious allegations can last far longer.
Instant Analysis:
Although business rivalry can be malicious, it can also drive innovation, efficiency and growth in the market.
The rivalry, if channeled well, can manifest in various forms, like attracting new customers, winning over existing ones, securing business from customers who use multiple suppliers, or striving for overall market leadership and increased profitability.
