Coast

Over 1,000 tonnes of contaminated sugar seized in Mombasa

Part of the contaminated sugar intercepted at a warehouse in Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Sunday, February 18, 2024

The sugar consignment contained 27,520 bags imported from Mauritius.

A haul of about 1,112 tonnes of contaminated sugar valued at Sh214 million has been intercepted in a warehouse in Mombasa.

According to a statement from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the consignment, containing 27,520 bags imported from Mauritius, arrived at the port when already contaminated by water while in transit.

Keep reading

The owner of the sugar, Rehema Badi, is said to have been compensated by the shipping company, and the sugar was thereafter set to be destroyed.

A letter seen by The Eastleigh Voice and signed by the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate CEO Devish Dukhira noted the shipment belonged to the account of buyer Elavol Company LTD containing 1,112.00 metric tonnes of Brown Cane Sugar loaded on board MSC Eagle

The letter further reveals the vessel was alleged to have been drenched in water on the high seas.

“The matter was referred to our insurance company under WKW ref 471/23/64243-and investigation along with claims are under process. As per International best practice, a joint survey was undertaken by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Port Health, Insurance loss adjusters and KRA between January 11 and 15 to determine any damage that occurred to the sugar during the incident,” the CEO stated.

Devish said the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate nominated Rehema Badi Mwajirani and Mr Dickson Akeno as their representative in Kenya to assist and facilitate the insurance and salvage process on their behalf vis a vis the Kenyan Authorities.

“They have also been engaged to proceed with salvage of the sugar which is found to be fit for direct human consumption as requested by the insurance company and also to seek regulatory approval to set aside for destruction any sugar found unfit for direct human consumption. For your guidance, any sugar deemed fit for direct human consumption will have to undergo testing by KEBS and Port Health before any such sugar can be sold to the general public,” the letter read.

It was revealed that the alleged 46 containers were later transported to Mitchel Cott, where falsification of documents was allegedly done by both KEBS and customs officials.

The Executive Director Commission for Human Rights and Justice in a letter copied to DCI Nairobi noted, “It is with all knowledge that the same is unfit for human consumption thus the reason you have compromised KEBS and other regulatory agencies. We are also aware in furtherance of the alleged illegal and criminal activities you have compromised officers from KRA, who have allowed you to pay customs duty for the same in preparations to release the said contaminated sugar to the public,” he said.