Matiang’i warns of toxic juice, tomato ketchup in shops
The government is holding about 1.4 million bags of sugar across the country, which is unfit for human consumption, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said.
The revelation comes as the government prepares to destroy contraband goods worth Sh1.2 billion.
The goods include fertiliser, sugar and alcohol that were impounded by officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
About 72 people have since been arrested and charged in court in the ongoing crackdown on contraband products in the country.
Dr Matiang’i made the comment on Thursday when he appeared before a parliamentary panel probing contraband sugar business in the country.
He also revealed that other than sugar, there is also contraband fertiliser, fruit juices, tomato ketchup among others in the market, which are not good for human consumption.
“Our porous border points are not just problems with importation of sugar, it is a serious challenge with smuggling into the country of arms,” he said.
Even as the CS gave an assurance that the government will not relent until the country is free of the poisonous sugar, he said that the criminals involved in the illicit trade are working hard to make money from unsuspecting Kenyans.
This comes as it was revealed during the tour by MPs that the godowns where sugar is stored, are in pathetic conditions.