Kenya Ports Authorities (KPA) officials have seized over Ksh214 million of contaminated sugar en route for markets.
According to records kept by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and KPA, the cargo was imported by a private company located in Nyali in late 2023.
Upon arrival at Mombasa Port, the cargo weighing 112 metric tonnes of sugar was found to be contaminated.
The insurer was said to have compensated for losses incurred during the importation of the goods to the port.
Meanwhile, the importer was instructed to destroy the sugar immediately after it was found unfit for human consumption
However, since then, the cargo has not been destroyed, with reports claiming that the importer planned to release it to the market.
After seizing the sugar, officials moved it to the port storage units awaiting destruction.
Consequently, the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) warned the public against consuming powdered milk after the products were confiscated in North Eastern Kenya.
Speaking in Garissa on Thursday, February 15, KDB chairman, Genesio Mugo clarified that the government barred importation of the products, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ordering a crackdown on the traders.
"I want to make it clear that there is currently no legal permit to import powdered milk to Kenya," Mugo stated
"Not only yesterday but the whole of January and February we have been doing a thorough search of illegal powdered milk," Mugo commented.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) milk plant in Nyahururu, Laikipia, on Wednesday, January 10, Gachagua warned that the powdered milk smugglers were crippling the sector.
“Currently, those who used to frustrate milk farmers were importing powdered milk. They put water in, stir, then add little milk and sell the way they want," Gachagua lamented.
