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Sugar with mercury still being sold in Kenyan supermarkets, Atwoli claims

By THOMAS MATIKO September 13th, 2018 1 min read

Contraband sugar alleged to be containing harmful mercury is still on the Kenyan supermarkets and retailers’ shelves, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli has claimed.

According to Atwoli, the Government is yet to destroy the contraband sugar which was declared unsafe for human consumption after being impounded about two months ago.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Atwoli further claimed that some powerful individuals with vested interest have been repackaging the contraband sugar using one known local brand and then selling it to unsuspecting consumers.

NOT DESTROYED

Atwoli criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for moving at a snail’s pace as far as destroying the commodity is concerned.

“I personally spoke to the Minister of Internal Security Mr Mating’i and he assured me that that sugar will be destroyed. That sugar has not been destroyed, that sugar is on our shelves… We want the Cabinet Secretary for Labour to be proactive in this issue” Atwoli said.

Dr Matiang’i was the first to make claims of mercury contamination during the government’s nationwide crackdown on the contraband sugar.

The Trade Unionist is now appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government to destroy the sugar.