In a shocking incident in Bangale, Tana River County, a shopkeeper was apprehended on a Saturday for duping unsuspecting customers with counterfeit products.

According to official police records, the 40-year-old shopkeeper was accused of deviously packaging sand inside branded bags and selling it as genuine wheat flour.

The unsettling events unfolded when the suspect managed to sell seven bundles of a branded baking flour valued at Ksh11,900 to an unsuspecting retailer.

Upon returning to his shop, the retailer immediately became suspicious after noticing the coarse texture of the bags. He decided to open one, only to discover sand instead of the promised wheat flour. Infuriated by the deception, the retailer swiftly reported the scam to the Madogo Police Station. Officers were dispatched to investigate a rented house within the Adere area, where they found the suspect diligently packaging sand into these deceitful branded bags.

In a subsequent operation, the police apprehended the main suspect and his male assistant, who was 38 years old. A total of 240 packets, each weighing 1-KG, were seized as evidence.

The police report stated, "Suspects were arrested and await arraignment in court."

This incident highlights growing concerns regarding the safety of products being sold to the public. It comes on the heels of a recent government warning regarding product safety.

In a letter dated November 6, the Directorate of Veterinary Services expressed deep concern about the sale of chicken meat in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD). They noted that most of the meat being sold had not undergone the necessary inspections by health officials.

Obadiah Njagi, the director of the institution, urged Kenyan consumers to exercise caution when dealing with such outlets, emphasizing the potential health risks involved.

"This meat is mainly sourced from broiler chicken farmers who slaughter the chickens in their backyards and transport the meat to hotels," Njagi highlighted in a letter addressed to county directors. "This practice is in violation of the Meat Control Act Cap 356 of the Laws of Kenya, which mandates that food animals should only be slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses under the supervision of an inspecting officer."