Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Thursday disclosed that there were more edible products that could contain mercury other than sugar.
Honouring a summon by a joint parliamentary committee, CS Matiang'i stated that tomato ketchup, rice and juices could be contaminated warning that more commodities were not safe for consumption.
"It's important we be truthful to the people. There is some contaminated sugar in the country, and it's not only sugar. Tomato ketchup, rice, fertilizers, juices and it's not only mercury, copper and lead! Tests are being done on these products," he told the MPs.
He apologised to the legislatures for failing to honour previous invitations adding that impounded contraband goods worth Kshs1.2 Billion to be destroyed in the coming week.
[caption caption="CS Fred Matiang'i appearing before the joint parliamentary committee on Trade and Agriculture on 28/06/2018"]
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He added that he would be vindicated on the contents of the contraband sugar once the full report is out.
"Investigations are not limited to importers, they are extending to us in government. The President has directed that we look at each other and who has done what. Arrests will be made where criminal collusion is found. Public servants found culpable will be prosecuted.
"By 5th of July, they should have conclusive results on the consignment that is in our custody," he explained.
He further divulged that the illegal sugar imports could have terrorist links and as such was a matter of national security.
"The assumption is that all sugar that came in through the port of Mombasa. We must agree that we have a problem of porous borders. Some sugar has come in from Kismayo. We don't mistrust KEBS but human beings can make mistakes," he stated.
He, however, declined to answer questions pertaining to companies implicated in importing illegal sugar as the matter was under probe by the National Police Service.
“When we have the in-camera proceeding I will tell you the work that the DCI has done and what the work that the security sector has been doing. I trust the work they have done,” Matiang’i stated.
Here is the video courtesy of KTNNews:
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