The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has refuted claims made by opposition leaders regarding the alleged circulation of contaminated sugar in the country, insisting that no such consignment has been cleared for release into the Kenyan market.
This comes after opposition figures, led by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, raised alarm over a 25,000-metric-tonne sugar shipment said to have been declared unfit for human consumption at its port of origin.
According to Kalonzo, the consignment, which recently landed at the Port of Mombasa, is being transported to a sugar factory in Western Kenya for repackaging and distribution to unsuspecting consumers.
“This cargo has already been declared unfit for human public consumption. Yet, the Ruto regime has quickly cleared it,” Kalonzo claimed during a Thursday press briefing.
He accused the government of putting Kenyans’ health at risk for political and commercial gain.
In response, KEBS issued a statement assuring the public that all sugar—whether imported or locally produced—is subjected to mandatory and rigorous testing, inspection, and certification processes before it reaches consumers.
“Our attention is drawn to statements circulating in the public domain alleging that contaminated sugar is circulating in the Kenyan market,” KEBS said.
“We would like to dispel these allegations and affirm that no consignment unfit for human consumption has been cleared for market release.”
KEBS called on the public to ignore unverified claims and emphasized its continued vigilance and transparency in protecting consumer safety.
Despite the bureau’s reassurance, opposition leaders are demanding the immediate public condemnation and destruction of the said consignment, warning that failure to act could expose millions to serious health risks. The government has yet to respond directly to the opposition’s demands.
