Former KeBS boss, the late Sammy Kioko Mang'eli, was once sacked for holding views contrary to those of the then Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, according to former Makueni Senator, the late Mutula Kilonzo.
A report by Daily Nation on Friday, September 11, 2009, stated that outgoing MD quickly blamed his downfall on Odinga, whom he accused of vendetta and tribalism.
Mang’eli’s tiff with Odinga was centred on the importation of some 6,350 metric tonnes of maize from South Africa in 2009.
Raila blamed KeBS for declaring the consignment unfit for human consumption.
According to him, KeBS’ findings had been contradicted by other testing organisations such as Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KePHIS).
“My exit is both political and tribal. I have been forced out by people who lost in the maize import saga,” Mang’eli, however, claimed in response.
On September 12, 2009, Mang’eli was given his marching orders from KeBS even though then Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey maintained he was not aware of such an action.
Mang'eli stayed put and demanded "formal communication" on the sacking.
Business Daily on Thursday, March 21, 2019, while announcing his demise noted that his eventual exit on September 18, 2009, was dramatic.
There was a very odd press briefing which was hastily arranged in the KeBS boardroom where Industrialisation Permanent Secretary John Lonyangapuo was the main speaker.
He was accompanied by the then Standard’s Board chairman, Aggrey Chabeda, Mang’eli, board members, among other senior staff where Joel Kioko was announced as his successor.
