Kenyans may have been exposed to poisonous sugar which is being sold in several parts of the country disguised as local brands.
Deputy Head of Public Service Wanyama Musiambo, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief George Kinoti led a night raid in Eastleigh, Nairobi where part of the poisonous sugar was found in a godown.
Kinoti stated the sugar, which was being repackaged as local brands including Kabras, West Sugar and a range of other little-known names, had been tested and found to contain harmful substances to human health.
Officials maintained that the chemicals found in the samples taken to the Government Chemist are capable of causing internal organ damage if consumed.
[caption caption="DCI Kinoti with IG Boinnet"]
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“These people are selling poison. I have seen the results and I am certain about this. The fear now is that it has been spread far and wide,” Kinoti stated.
“We have arrested three suspects who are helping with investigations. We will be going for everyone involved, including government officials who may have facilitated these commodities to end up in the market,” he added.
Ramar Sangaiah, Head of Agriculture at West Kenya Sugar Company, stated that the firm had received information about the fake sugar.
Investigators stated that the cartels involved were smart, making them find it difficult to trace the origin of the contraband sugar.
Investigators also found a complete packaging set-up with weighing, sewing, sealing and printing machines used to label the sacks and smaller packages before they are sold in the market.
[caption caption="File photo of sugar being offloaded at the port in Mombasa"]
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There were also Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) stickers which they reported to either be a perfect imitation or sourced from the agency through corrupt officials.
