I will name the big fish in the contraband sugar deal—Aden Duale

Garissa township Member of Parliament (Courtesy)

NAIROBI—National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale on Tuesday evening dropped a bombshell on the controversy surrounding the importation of contraband sugar into the country.

The Garissa Town MP criticised Matiang’i’s war on contraband, saying authorities were turning a blind eye on the “real culprits”.

He stated he had concrete information that the person behind the imports is also involved in the illegal logging that is wiping forests in Kenya.

“The culprit is walking free in this town. We want to know who is protecting him. The same person is the biggest logger in our country,” he said on Tuesday.

Aden Duale, while taking part in a debate on the sugar industry crisis in the country sponsored by nominated MP Mr Godfrey Osotsi, named West Kenya Sugar millers among those involved in the contraband sugar business.

“Some of us have been prosecuted and given assets we don’t have. I am compiling a list of companies that have imported duty free sugar,” said Duale.

“I want to challenge Kenya Revenue Authority, CS Rotich and Kenya Ports Authority to challenge the figures I have given.” he added.

At least 25 people have been arrested in raids in Meru, Nakuru and in Uasin Gishu counties. KRA officials seized 3,000 bags of contraband sugar at a godown in Meru town and another 400 bags in Nakuru.

On Wednesday, several lorries carrying illegal sugar to Ndhiwa sugar company were nabbed in Rongo, Homa Bay county.

CS Matiang’i declared war on the smuggling syndicate last week, saying that the government would not relent in going for those involved in the unlawful business.