Emerging details indicate that the contraband sugar probe has dearly cost the taxpayer.
The Kieni lawmaker Kanini Kega joint Agricuture and Trade committee that was set up to look into the contraband sugar imported during the duty-free window has since submitted its final report, which, however, stands suspended.
According to Kimilili lawmaker Didmus Barasa who has since taken the front seat on the issue, the probe that saw members of the committee criss-cross the nation in search of answers cost the nation close to 20 million shillings.
Speaking on Radio Jambo’s ‘Mazungumzo Waziwazi’ on Thursday evening, the youthful parliamentarian, therefore, bashed a section of his colleagues who on Thursday last week rejected the probe report, saying that they have rendered the entire process a misuse of public funds.
‘’Mwananchi ametumia zaidi ya shilingi milioni ishirini kuwezesha kamati ya uchunguzi kutembea nchini ikitafuta majibu (Kenyans have spent close to 20 million shillings in facilitating the committee’s probe process),’’ said Barasa.
Barasa who hails from the sugar belt region of Bungoma county was also the first to disclose bribery within the house, claiming that he rejected an attempt by Wajir Women Representative Fatuma Gedi's Kshs10, 000 offer to shoot the report down.
He is also leading the team of Western Kenya lawmakers pushing for a return of the report for debate.
The mass importation was made in 2017 before allegations emerged that it was stained with copper and lead deposits, allegations Kega’s report refutes.