Mombasa, KENYA: Government spokesperson Eric Kiraithe has urged Members of parliament to volunteer any information on who the sugar barons are instead of politicking in the media.
Kiraithe who was speaking to journalists in Mombasa on Wednesday said the politicking could affect ongoing investigations against contraband sugar in the country.
“Effects of poisonous sugar do discriminate tribe, political affiliation or religion so I am urging all leaders to desist from making statements that might hinder ongoing investigations,” Kiraithe said.
“ Should they have any information on who the real culprits are, let them volunteer the information to the authorities instead of questioning how authorities are conducting investigations,” Kiraithe added.
This comes just a day after the National Assembly majority leader Adan Duale blamed Matiang’I of protecting the real illegal sugar barons.
Duale further claimed that Treasury Cabinet Secretary had given duty-free status to a number of sugar companies and the said companies were the ones behind the sugar which has been seized in different parts of the country like Nairobi, Kilifi and Nakuru.
Duale further claimed that the owner of the said companies was behind rampant illegal logging in the country and he was being protected by senior government officials.
His comments came just a week after members of the agricultural committee lead by the Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati said that senior government officials were behind the sugar scandal.
Meanwhile, Kiraithe said that Kwale International Sugar Company which is the largest sugar company in the Coast region had not yet manufactured enough sugar to be distributed in local markets.
This is following questions raised on why Kenya was importing sugar yet there were several sugar manufacturing companies operating in the country.
“ The sugar manufacturing process is very expensive so I urge the people of Kwale to continue supporting the company till it makes enough sugar to sustain the market and makes profits to give back to the community in form of CSR programs,” Kiraithe said.
