MP urges probe over contaminated food

Dujis MP Adan Duale has called for investigation on how Unimix allegedly contaminated with aflatoxin was distributed under the Kenyans for Kenya initiative.

The MP told a press conference that the revelation that at least 60,000 school going children are facing a health risk after consuming the product was a reason to worry Kenyans.

Mr Duale asked the police and the parliamentary committee on health to investigate two millers who distributed the Unimix. The initiative was started to save millions of Kenyans who were facing starvation as drought ravaged the country.

“The two millers must be made to take responsibility of the health issues that are likely to face our children. This also means that we have no assurance that the food we are consuming in the country is safe in any way,” said Mr Duale.

He added that he would be raising the matter in Parliament on Tuesday to have the government explain how the contaminated food found its way into the market.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet on Thursday confirmed that 362 metric tonnes of Unimix, a high protein food that comprises maize and soya which is fortified with vitamins and minerals supplied by Proctor & Allan and Sai Millers as famine relief, had been recalled.

He said the food was in the schools in parts of North Eastern, Eastern and Coast region for about three weeks before it was recalled.

“Primarily, the onus on the quality is on the producer and the miller because they are certified producers of that commodity, they have the basic fundamental responsibility. I buy in that trust, in that confidence,” Gullet stated.

An audit on the funds raised in the four-week initiative and conducted by Deloitte & Touche reports 1,100 metric tonnes of Unimix had so far been purchased at a cost of Sh112 million. Proctor & Allan supplied 798 metric tonnes while Sai Millers who supplied 302 metric tonnes

The Kenya Red Cross now says the children involved need urgent medical check-up following the exposure to aflatoxin.

“They need to be medically checked and hopefully they will come out clean and if anyone has unfortunately been affected by this food, once we verify that, then we will have to deal with the issue decisively both with the producer and ourselves,”

Gullet said.