Government Chemist Gakweli a no-show
Agriculture and Livestock, and Trade, Industry and Cooperatives committees of the National Assembly co-chairman Kanini Kega speaks during a session in Parliament on July 25, 2018, regarding the safety of the imported sugar. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The committee has until Wednesday next week to present a conclusive report to the House on whether the sugar consumed by Kenyans is unsafe.
The Government Chemist failed to appear before members of Parliament to present his report on suitability of imported sugar in the local market.
Mr Ali Gakweli was supposed to appear before a joint sitting of the Agriculture and Livestock, and Trade, Industry and Cooperatives committees of the National Assembly on Wednesday morning but co-chairman Kanini Kega said Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho requested to appear jointly.
"We wanted the owner of the document to come here and the letter written to Parliament indicates that he is ready to appear tomorrow (Thursday) at 3pm with the CS and PS," Mr Kanini told the members. He also wants the multiagency team on contraband sugar to appear.
The joint sitting is also co-chaired by Mandera South MP Adan Ali.
IMPURITIES
Today was the 26th meeting of the committee, which has until Wednesday next week to present a conclusive report to the House on whether the sugar consumed by Kenyans is unsafe.
The report shows that samples of sugar tested at Moi Airbase have traces of mercury among other chemicals.
About 128 bags of the sugar were seized at the military base and about 50,000 metric tonnes in Bungoma.
Other than mercury, the samples from sugar impounded in Kakamega, Nakuru, Samburu, Kiambu, Kajiado also tested positive for copper, lead, arsenic, zinc as well as high moisture content and moulds.
