The handling of more than 27,000 metric tonnes of imported sugar has sparked fresh scrutiny in Parliament, with lawmakers demanding answers over fears that sugar declared unfit for direct human consumption could end up in the Kenyan market.
Members of the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on Tuesday put officials from the Kenya Sugar Board on the spot over the consignment imported by Mombasa Sugar Refinery Limited.
The sugar, amounting to 27,839 metric tonnes, was imported through the Port of Mombasa and later subjected to tests by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. The tests reportedly established that the sugar met standards for raw sugar meant for industrial refining and not for direct consumption by the public.
The committee, chaired by Benard Shinali, questioned the movement of the sugar from Mombasa to Nairobi and demanded detailed documentation to prove the consignment had remained under strict control.
The grilling comes at a time when Kenya continues to face concerns over illegal sugar imports and past incidents where sugar declared unsafe allegedly found its way into local shops. The issue has repeatedly triggered public outrage, especially after previous parliamentary investigations raised questions over the safety of imported sugar consumed by Kenyans.
Appearing before the committee, Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire defended the handling of the consignment, insisting that the sugar had remained under tight security from the time it arrived in the country.
According to the board, the sugar was initially stored at a customs bonded warehouse at the Kenya Ports Authority facilities in Mombasa immediately after being offloaded from the ship.
KSB Director of Regulation and Compliance Samwel Kembo told MPs that the sugar had not been released into the local market at any point.
“This sugar was never diverted or distributed in the country. It was well secured and kept intact at the Kenya Ports Authority bonded warehouse in Mombasa,” Kembo said.
He explained that customs clearance for the consignment was granted on April 24, 2026, while transportation to Nairobi began on May 2 using the Standard Gauge Railway.
According to Kembo, the first shipment, consisting of 19 wagons carrying 26,220 bags, arrived in Nairobi on May 3 and remained under security as authorities prepared to transport it to Kisumu for industrial refining.
However, MPs appeared unconvinced by the explanation and pushed for more evidence, including seal serial numbers, bonded warehouse records, movement permits and details of the storage facility in Nairobi where the sugar is currently being held.
Marianne Keitany questioned why the sugar was being moved from one bonded warehouse to another if it had already received a release letter.
Lawmakers also sought clarification on reports that part of the sugar was destined for Kisumu for industrial processing and refining before being released for use.
Chesire maintained that elaborate security measures had been put in place to prevent any possible diversion of the consignment into the local market.
The committee further heard that the sugar was intended strictly for refining and industrial use, and that it could not legally be sold directly to consumers in its current state.
Previous consignments
Still, MPs warned that Kenyans have heard similar assurances before.
Anthony Aluoch cautioned the board against misleading the public, saying previous consignments that had been flagged as unsafe eventually found their way into circulation.
His remarks reflected growing concerns among legislators over weak enforcement and loopholes within the sugar importation and monitoring system.
The inquiry also opened fresh debate on Kenya’s continued reliance on imported sugar despite repeated government assurances that the country is steadily moving toward self-sufficiency.
Lawmakers questioned why sugar imports are still being allowed even after government officials previously stated that local production had improved significantly between 2023 and 2025.
In response, Chesire said the country was making progress but had not yet fully closed the production gap.
He told the committee that Kenya is still working toward achieving complete sugar self-sufficiency by 2028 through ongoing reforms in the sector, improved cane production and modernisation of local sugar factories.
Kenya’s sugar industry has for years struggled with challenges including low productivity, ageing factories, high production costs, cane poaching and heavy dependence on imports to bridge supply shortages.
The latest controversy is now expected to pile more pressure on regulatory agencies to demonstrate that imported sugar meant for industrial refining does not end up on supermarket shelves or in homes across the country.
The parliamentary committee is expected to continue with its investigations as it seeks more records and explanations from agencies involved in the importation, transportation and storage of the sugar consignment.
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