KEBS Probe into Gov’t imported cooking oil deepens, New Details emerge.
Kenya Bureau of Standards, KEBS Probe into Gov’t imported oil deepens; It has been established that the oil was imported from Malaysia to address a shortage and combat a sharp increase in retail prices.
However, after the cargo was subjected to Kenya Standardisation Specification for Fortified Edible Oils and Fats, it was found unfit.
KEBS has since explained that the batch imported from Malaysia did not conform to the required specifications of Vitamin A and insoluble impurities.
KEBS stated,”For fat content, the oils were far above the required amount by 0.47 per cent by mass — containing 99.97 instead of the mandatory 99.5.”
In matters acidity content, potassium hydroxide in milligrams was 0.12 as compared to the required 0.6. The oil contained only 5.42 of peroxide per kilogramme of oil, as compared to the mandatory 10 required for oxidation.
KEBS also found out that the oil contained 0.04 of insoluble impurities whereas the required standard is 0.05.
“Going by these findings it was easy to conclude that the oils were only fit for animals,” KEBS maintained.
KEBS has since written to the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), notifying them that the consignments had been condemned and therefore rejected.
KNTC was directed to ship the consignment back to the where it was imported from, within 30 days from September 5, the date when the letter was signed.
The letter warned,”Failure to comply with the orders will cause the products to be destroyed at the importer’s cost.”
Notably, Attempts by senators to inspect the consignment have been blocked by KNTC officials who have on two occasions refused to open the warehouses.
DCI and Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has also written to KNTC Managing Director Pamela Mutua asking for the documents on the oil importation deal.
The letter read,”This office is investigating a case involving procurement irregularities whereby the companies featured. To facilitate our investigations, kindly but urgently furnish us with the requested information.”
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