Prominent politicians have been put in the limelight over imported cheap sugar said to be laced with harmful chemicals. 

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At least 1,365 bags of contraband sugar seized recently shows it was laced with toxic metals; copper and mercury that unsuspecting consumers may have been exposed to with dire health implications. 

As the government made the startling revelations, the name of a prominent Women’s Representative from the Central region was mentioned and could be “powerful hand” behind the importation of the poisoned sugar impounded in Ruiru. 

Interior Cabinet secretary, Fred Matiang’i declared war on illicit goods, and to stress the seriousness of the operation, issued a stern warning to senior public officials, politicians, and businessmen involved in the business, who he said were trying to intimidate officers involved in the crackdown. 

Matiang’i was firm that they had clear instructions from the President to deal with the contraband goods menace once and for all. He was categorical they would proceed without fear or favour. 

His remarks come just a month after the President issued a directive for an operation to deal with economic crimes. 

As the war on counterfeits intensifies, Matiang’i was very clear that it should not be confused with political witch-hunt, adding that together with DCI, they will do a thorough work.

He was concerned that some people were sabotaging the country’s economy through crime. 

The CS further castigated Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Anti-Counterfeit Agency and Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) for “sleeping on the job” and allowing the illegal trade to thrive.

However,  Kebs refuted claims in a section of the media that it makes fake standardization marks. 

Chairman Mugambi Imanyara assured Kenyans its products certification scheme enforcement regimes were above board and secured to protect consumers. 

He disclosed that the standardization marks were highly protected and only one person was authorized to access the area where the stickers were printed hence it was unlikely that Kebs was printing fake stickers. 

The contraband sugar was seized in warehouses in Ruiru, Eastleigh and at Industrial Area. Also impounded were machines used for repackaging illegally imported sugar.