A scandal involving the irregular release of a consignment of condemned sugar has resulted in the suspension of several high-ranking government officials.

President William Ruto was briefed about the scandal on Wednesday, May 17.

National Treasury and Economic Planning CS Prof Njuguna Ndung'u, and Investments, Trade, and Industry CS Moses Kuria, have taken decisive administrative action following the illegal diversion of a cosignment of harmful sugar

The condemned sugar, consisting of 20,000 bags weighing 50 kilograms each, was imported into the country in 2018.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) had deemed the consignment unfit for human consumption due to the absence of an expiry date specification.

Consequently, KEBS directed that the consignment be destroyed at the expense of the owner.

The consignment, instead of being appropriately disposed of, was irregularly diverted and released without adherence to proper procedures.

The 27 government officials below were suspended pending further investigations.

Kenya Bureau of Standards

Lt. Col (Rtd) Bernard Njiraini, the Managing Director
Dr. Geoffrey Muriira, Director Quality Assurance and Inspection
Hilda Keror, Manager Inspection, Mombasa Port Office
Liston Lagat, Assistant Manager, ICDN Nairobi
Rono Birgen Chief Manager, ICDN Nairobi
Stephen Owuor, Principal Officer
Peter Olima Joseph - Inspector, Mombasa

Kenya Revenue Authority

Joseph Kaguru
Mwanja Masinde
Stephen Muiruri
Moses Okoth
Doris Mutembei
Chacha Hondo
Carol Nyagechi
Derick Kago

National Police Service

George Mithamo
Joel Kirui

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)

Bernard Ngumbi
Raphael Mwaka

Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)

Oscar Kai
Patrick Magut

Other suspended officials

Joseph Maita Mweni (Port Health),
Isacko Bonai (NEMA),
Stephen Cheruiyot (Anti-Counterfeit Agency),
Daniel Ngugi (KEPHIS),
Willy Koskei (EACC),
K. Edwin Ruto (KPA),