President William Ruto, was on Thursday, May 18, briefed on the ongoing investigations into the mysterious disappearance of poisonous sugar that had been earmarked for destruction.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) affirmed that one of his Cabinet Secretaries was deeply involved in the latest sugar scandal, in which the condemned commodity was kept at a go-down in Thika awaiting destruction.
A Member of Parliament from Central Kenya was also accused of playing a key role in the scandal likely to tear down the newly formed government.
In response, President William Ruto ordered the officers to investigate the matter with the urgency it deserves and bring the culprits to book.
In 2018, nearly 20,000 bags of the poisonous sugar were reported to have left Mombasa for distribution in parts of Nairobi and Central Kenya before it was condemned for destruction by relevant authorities.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) declared the consignment unfit for human consumption after conducting a series of tests and placed it under lock and strict surveillance of security organs.
However, the sugar left Thika go-down in March 2023, most likely reaching local retail markets.
As a result, President Ruto, on Wednesday, 17, suspended KEBS Managing Director Bernard Njiraini alongside 26 other government officials. Eight from the Revenue Authority (KRA), four police officers and six others from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
“It has since been established that the consignment was irregularly diverted and unprocedural released,” read part of the statement signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Kosgei explained that plans were underway to take care of the sugar when it disappear in thin air and was suspected to have been distributed in various retail stores.
“It is manifest that some officers in the relevant agencies abdicated their responsibilities, at the risk of public harm,” Koskei noted.
Esther Ngari was appointed to act as KEBS MD in an acting capacity.
Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK), in line with its mandate, further urged victims of the poisonous sugar to visit the doctor for detoxification of heavy metals, especially mercury.
“Consumers of the condemned sugar should regularly go for cancer screening and counselling,” COFEK Secretary General Stephen Mutoro pleaded.
