The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) subjected part of a 42,000 metric tonnes of imported maize to strict testing two weeks ago after it was suspected to be contaminated with aflatoxin.
Kebs said the maize imported from Mexico underwent a test involving separating suspect cargo from the rest of the consignment to ensure it was not contaminated with the deadly fungi.
The government recently waived duty on imported maize to mitigate shortage of grains in the country, with the import window expected to expire on July 31.
So far, at least five vessels laden with the grains have arrived at the Mombasa port.
The standards agency said all maize that has been imported so far has met Kenyan and East African standards, adding that as a rule, the consignments are inspected at the country of origin in a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) arrangement.
“The 42,000 metric tonnes of maize was imported from Mexico aboard MV Ionic Smyrni. Our PVOC agents inspected it and the importer was issued with certificate of conformity.
"The maize had been pre-tested before it was shipped to Kenya by our PVoC agents and it met all the safety parameters,” the standards agency said in a statement following our inquiry.
In Kenya, several people have died in the past after consuming grains contaminated with aflatoxin, resulting from poor storage of grains.