Agriculture Secretary Linturi Contradicts Trade Minister Kuria on Sugar Imports
Wednesday, June 21, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi contradicted his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria regarding the importation of sugar.
Linturi emphasized before the Senate that he had not granted Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) permission to import 200,000 metric tonnes of sugar in April.
Instead, the CS explained that his ministry had only authorized imports of 180,000 metric tonnes at the time.
He insisted that a total of 280,000 metric tonnes had been acquired in December of the previous year. Of which 100,000 metric tonnes had already been delivered, leaving a balance of 180,000 metric tonnes.
“I’m the one who authorizes importers to bring in sugar, and I have not authorized KNTC to import 200,000 metric tonnes of sugar.”
“I maintain that the amount of sugar I authorized was 280 000 tonnes.” I gazetted one hundred thousand tonnes on December 22, 2022, and the remainder on May 2.
Linturi stated that there is no other duty-free sugar coming into Kenya from outside of COMESA. Besides what he had already mentioned.
Linturi’s response contradicted Kuria’s earlier statement to the committee. That KNTC was planning to import an additional 200,000 tonnes of duty-free sugar, bringing the total imports to 300,000 tonnes.
Kuria explained KNTC’s role in the importation of goods such as sugar, fertilizer, beans, and oil during his public appearance.
He noted that the company was importing fertilizers, rice, beans, and cooking oil. And was preparing to receive an additional 200,000 metric tonnes of sugar.
The Trade CS added that KNTC relied on its revenues to fund its operations.
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“As a company that relies on funds generated internally from the sale of goods, we must strike a balance between maintaining low prices for our customers and generating enough revenue to cover our administrative expenses,” he added.
The duty-free importation of 200,000 tonnes of sugar, 150,000 tonnes of rice, and 80,000 tonnes of beans by KNTC was expected to reduce the price of goods in the country.
In March, Kuria chose 500,000 stores to sell imported sugar duty-free alongside four other products.
Linturi Clarity
The Agriculture CS clarified that the issuance of sugar importation licenses is a fully automated online process.
The CS added that Kenyans can anticipate inexpensive sugar in the second week of July 2023.
“We anticipate 180,000 metric tons of sugar, and Kenyans will notice the low prices,” he explained.
Linturi was responding to Senator Mohamed Chute of Marsabit, who urged the two ministries to streamline the importation of goods and investigate allegations of corruption within the two ministries.
“You must sit down with Kuria and discuss the best course of action. Are you going to use KNTC, which will be costly for this nation?” Chute questioned.
According to Linturi, the country’s limited sugar supply influenced the price. Some Kenyans now pay Ksh400 for a two-kilogram packet, citing the dollar shortage as a contributing factor.
He explained that he had collaborated with other parties to develop a program to examine the sugar industry.\\
Agriculture Secretary Linturi Contradicts Trade Minister Kuria on Sugar Imports
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