This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Published on October 4, 2019, documents have revealed that two senior State officers pushed for the release of sub-standard edible oil into the market.
Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and Trade Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya separately authorized the release of the oil, despite its excessive or low quantities of vitamin A.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that high quantities of vitamin A can lead to birth defects in babies if consumed by pregnant women, and in some cases, death.
According to documents presented before the National Assembly Trade committee, Kinyua wrote a letter dated July 18, 2019, to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) requesting the release of the consignment of 58 containers of edible oils.
He copied the letter to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Daniel Manduku, stating that the purpose of the letter was to request the clearance of the consignment and to ease the financial burden of the trader.
On August 1, 2019, Munya wrote a letter to Kebs giving the green light for the release of the oil, stating that the Cabinet Secretary had granted approval for a waiver on the enforcement of the fortification of edible oils.
However, Kebs' own records contradict this position, showing that the oil contained excessive amounts of Vitamin A.
Laboratory test reports laid before the committee showed one of the samples imported from Malaysia had a Vitamin A quantity of 69.2mg/kg, against the acceptable standard of 20-40mg/kg.
Kebs Managing Director Bernard Njiraini denied that he was pressured to release the oil, stating, "I'm not acting under any pressure. I am only protecting the interests of Kenyans."
The Ministry of Health has declined a suggestion to manually add Vitamin A to the oil with low quantities, citing public health concerns.
