Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua have raised alarm over a consignment of 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar that has allegedly entered the country despite being declared unfit for human consumption at its port of origin.
According to the two, the sugar has already arrived at the Port of Mombasa and is now being transported to a factory in Western Kenya, where it will be repackaged and sold to the public.
They claim that this shipment was cleared by the Kenya Kwanza government in secrecy, endangering the lives of millions of Kenyans.
Their statement has sparked public outrage, with Kenyans demanding that the sugar be destroyed immediately and those involved be held accountable.
The issue has reminded many Kenyans of past scandals where contaminated goods made their way into the market due to weak oversight and possible government involvement.
Kalonzo and Karua argue that this is not just another case of failed regulation but a clear example of state-sponsored criminality.
They say the government had full knowledge of the sugar’s condition and still allowed it into the country without any public notice.
A mixture of Brown and white sugar. Photo credit/Wikipedia.
They warned that such sugar, if contaminated with harmful chemicals, mold, or industrial waste, could cause serious health issues, including liver and kidney failure or even death.
Medical experts have also confirmed that sugar not tested or approved by KEBS can carry dangerous substances like carcinogens, heavy metals, or illegal preservatives, which could lead to a national health crisis.
The opposition is calling for the sugar to be destroyed in the presence of the public, saying that failure to do so would confirm suspicions of high-level corruption and betrayal.
They also took the opportunity to expose what they call the government’s habit of using secret financial structures known as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
These SPVs, they claim, are being used to hide corrupt transactions from Parliament, the Auditor-General, and the public.
According to them, the sugar scandal is just one example of how these shadowy operations are being used to bypass legal procedures and cover up massive theft.
This has shaken public trust in government institutions such as KEBS, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Health, all of which are yet to issue any official statement on the matter.
The silence has raised even more questions, with many suspecting a coordinated effort to protect the people behind the shipment.
Civil society groups have now joined the opposition in demanding accountability, warning that failure to act will only deepen the country’s crisis of confidence in its leaders and institutions.
One activist went as far as calling the situation an attempt at mass poisoning driven by greed and protected by corruption.
Kenyans are already facing tough economic times, with many struggling to afford basic goods. The possibility that even the little sugar they manage to buy might be contaminated has only made the situation worse.
There is growing anger and frustration over the government’s priorities, with citizens feeling neglected and betrayed.
