Why MP Wants Ruto and Wife To Taste All Food Imports Before Selling To Kenyans
Busia County Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo is considering a new proposal that would require President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel to sample all imported food items before they are distributed to the public.
Speaking to a gathering in Busia County, the legislator emphasized that the proposed legislation would ensure the security of various food items, such as maize, rice, and cooking oil, that are brought into the nation.
Her comments follow the declaration by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that a shipment authorized by Ruto’s administration is not suitable for consumption by humans.
“When that cooking oil arrives in Kenya, it should be taken to State House for two weeks before it is distributed to shops,” she insisted.
“Everything imported at Mombasa should be taken to State House for President William Ruto and Rachel before selling it to us. I am preparing a bill, and I hope Moses Wetangula (National Assembly speaker) will approve, to ensure that every imported good including sugar, oil, and chocolate should go to State House.”
The legislator raised concerns about the effectiveness of the quality check procedures used for imported cooking oil, suggesting that professionals should have identified any irregularities throughout the production and packaging phases.
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“They imported cooking oil which is unfit for human consumption. I don’t think they had good intentions for Kenyans. Where was the government during the planning and packing stages for importation? They were busy taxing us,” she added.
In a written communication instructing the rerouting of shipments to their original country, KEBS highlighted that the oil failed to meet the required standards for Vitamin A levels and Insoluble Impurities.
For instance, the fat content in the Edible Oils exceeded the required amount by 0.47%.
“The consignments have been rejected and the importer is hereby advised to reship them back to the country of origin within 30 days from the date of this letter, failure to which they shall be destroyed at the importer’s cost,” read the letter from KEBS in part.
The cancellation negatively impacts the Head of State’s efforts to reduce the cost of living. This is because the shipment, which was arranged from Malaysia, was anticipated to decrease the prices of cooking oils available in supermarkets.
Currently, a two-litre bottle of cooking oil retails between Ksh700 and Ksh1,000.
Why MP Wants Ruto and Wife To Taste All Food Imports Before Selling To Kenyans