Investigators are said to be hitting a dead end on the probe of the mysterious disappearance of 20,000 tonnes of condemned sugar from a go-down in Thika, Kiambu county.
Sources say the investigations have virtually stalled despite the arrest of eight individuals and the recovery of 52 tonnes following a DCI-led operation.
Crispus Waithaka, the suspected mastermind behind the stolen sugar, was among the eight apprehended following the said operation.
He was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after he arrived in the country from Dubai.
The trail has gone cold on among other things, the suspected involvement of one Cabinet Secretary (CS) and two Members of Parliament (MPs) linked to the toxic sugar saga.
Additionally, State House moved to purge the line institutions that include KRA, KEBS, National Police Service (NPS) and the Agriculture and Food Authority.
In a statement, State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Kosgey announced the suspension of 26 officials.
Those suspended included KEBS Managing Director Benard Njiraini, Director Quality Inspection Geoffrey Muriira and Hilda Keror the Manager Inspections in charge of KEBS’ Mombasa office. Eight KRA officers were also suspended in the purge.
There has not been any further communication from State House on the fate of the suspended officers.
But the trail is said to have gone cold on investigations as allegations emerged on interference from above.
Inquiries by Citizen TV, at the DCI, have ended in futility pointing to slowed investigations.
The toxic sugar disappearance generated heat in parliament as the National Assembly’s Trade Committee took KEBS officials to task over the unclear status of the investigations.
The watchdog committee now wants KRA, DCI AND KEBS officials back in parliament next week.
