Opposition leaders have raised a red flag over an alleged plan by the government to repackage and distribute 25,000 metric tonnes of contaminated sugar recently imported into the country. The sugar consignment, which reportedly arrived at the Port of Mombasa, has been declared unfit for human consumption but is said to be en route to a sugar factory in Western Kenya for repackaging.
Leading the charge, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of endangering public health for political and commercial interests. According to Kalonzo, the sugar had already been flagged at its country of origin as unfit for consumption, yet Kenyan authorities cleared it for entry and distribution.
“We are aware of a cargo of 25,000MT of sugar that recently landed in our Port of Mombasa. These 25,000 MT of sugar are already on their way to a Western Kenya sugar factory to be repackaged and sold to unsuspecting Kenyans,” Kalonzo said.
He expressed deep concern that the Ruto government had allowed the sugar consignment into the country, despite the known health risks. Kalonzo further questioned the administration’s priorities, accusing it of placing political expediency and commercial gain over the well-being of ordinary Kenyans.
“This cargo has already been declared from its port of origin, unfit for human public consumption. Yet, the Ruto regime has quickly cleared it,” he said. “What kind of a regime is this that puts their own reprehensible needs before that of the public’s well-being?”
The opposition is now demanding urgent action to protect public health. Kalonzo and his allies want the contaminated sugar to be publicly condemned and destroyed immediately.
“We demand that this consignment, already earmarked, be publicly condemned and destroyed as it is unfit for public consumption,” he stated.
The government is yet to issue an official response to the allegations. Meanwhile, civil society groups and health advocates have begun calling for investigations into the matter, urging transparency and accountability in the country’s food safety protocols.
