KEBS dismisses contaminated sugar claims as CS Kagwe defends massive rice imports amid criticism

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has firmly denied claims suggesting that contaminated sugar is set to be released into the Kenyan market, terming the allegations as unfounded and misleading.

In a public statement dated July 31, the regulatory body reassured Kenyans that all sugar, whether locally produced or imported, undergoes thorough inspection and testing before being cleared for human consumption.

“KEBS would like to dispel these allegations and ascertain that both locally produced and imported sugar undergo mandatory and rigorous inspection, testing, and certification before release to the market,” the bureau said.

This follows serious accusations by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who claimed that 25,000 tonnes of contaminated sugar had docked at the Port of Mombasa and was en route to Western Kenya for repackaging and sale.

KEBS, however, dismissed these claims and urged Kenyans to ignore the circulating reports, especially those spreading through social media platforms. The agency emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health through stringent quality checks on consumables.

In a related development, the Ministry of Agriculture has come under fire following its decision to import 500,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice. Critics, including opposition leaders and rice farmers, argued that the move undermines local agriculture and could destabilize farmer livelihoods.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe defended the importation, stating that it is necessary to meet national demand due to Kenya’s persistent deficit in local rice production.

“In the last three years, for example, we have imported an average of over 700,000 metric tonnes of rice per year. We only produce about 20 percent in Mwea and in other parts of our nation of our rice intake. The rest is imported,” said Kagwe.

He dismissed claims that the importation aims to sabotage local farming efforts.

“I don’t understand why there was this confusion about whether we are importing rice so we can kill the local industry. It is the same for wheat, we import 90 percent but still support our farmers,” the CS added.

Kagwe assured local rice growers that the government will purchase all the available rice from granaries nationwide and encouraged them not to panic over the import strategy.