A section of Members of Parliament (MPs) has presented a petition against Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking during a press briefing in Parliament, the legislators led by Lugari MP Ayub Savula are now demanding for the sacking of the CS over the ongoing sugar importation row.
The legislators, mostly Luhya politicians, revealed that the petition had already been signed by 82 MPs urging the President to take action against him.
The MPs accused CS Rotich of allowing companies to import sugar duty-free something that they alleged almost crumbled the Kenyan sugar industry.
[caption caption="Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich during the unveiling of the budget"]
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Savula further noted that the revenue body KRA also lost Ksh10 billion in taxes following the illegal importation by 14 companies who evaded taxes.
The 14 companies include Flora Bakers Limited, Piccadily Holding Limited, Landmark Freight Services, Darasa Investment Limited, Pillarmatt Limited, The Option Two Limited, Ifox Commodity Limited, Paleah Stores Limited and Mapping Trading Company.
Sukari Investment Limited, Elon Commodities (K) Limited, Coast Terminal East Africa Limited, Zack Petroleum Limited, Export Trading Company Limited are also on the list.
The Interim Head of the Sugar Directorate Solomon Odera, last week, told the parliamentary committee probing the saga that a gazette notice issued by Treasury allowed any company to import sugar, a notice that the directorate was not involved with.
A joint parliamentary committee led by Kieni MP Kanini Kega and Adan Ali have so far questioned CSs Mwangi Kiunjuri, Adan Mohamed, Henry Rotich and Fred Matiang’i as well as various sugar importers over the scandal.
However, a section of lawmakers expressed their displeasure over how the committee conducted the investigations.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga asked MPs conducting the probes to remain above reproach and give Kenyans hope.
"Members of Parliament must lead by example. MPs must protect the people. If they are going to be accomplices in this, then Kenyans must think twice,” Raila stated.
[caption caption="Opposition leader Raila Odinga together with a section of legislators"]
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