Metro

Kenya suspends 27 govt officials over alleged diversion of contaminated sugar

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2023

The Kenyan government has suspended 27 of its officials attached to different agencies over an alleged diversion of 20,000 bags of contaminated sugar suspected to have been smuggled into the country.

According to media reports in the Eastern African country, the expired sugar was seized by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) after it was imported in 2018 and declared “unfit for human consumption.”

The shipment was then earmarked to be converted into industrial ethanol but the officials were said to have diverted them and redistributed same into the market.

The suspension of the officials which has been approved by President William Ruto, is to pave way for thorough investigations by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards, Kenyan Revenue Authority, National Police Service and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

A statement issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announcing the suspension of public officers, said the President had been briefed on the matter which has been termed as “irregular and criminal release of condemned sugar that had been earmarked for conversion into industrial ethanol.”

“It has since been established that the consignment was irregularly diverted and unprocedurally released,” the statement said.

“Further, the conditions relating to open and competitive enlisting of the distiller were breached and the applicable taxes were not paid,” the statement added.

The shipment of 20,000 bags of sugar valued at more than 160 million shillings (€1.08 million), was then sold to a high powered trader who repackaged and resold it.

“It is clear that some officials in the agencies concerned have abdicated their responsibilities, risking public embarrassment,” Koskei said.

Among the officials sanctioned are officials from KEBS, including its head Bernard Njiraini, the tax authority, the police, and the Food and Agriculture Agency.

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Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda

Published

6 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

“As a representative of the deaf community, I believe digital rights should be inclusive. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, should enjoy these rights through various devices to express themselves and participate in national discourse,” he asserted.

He also called for the recognition of sign language as the eighth national language, aligning with United Nations conventions that mandate sign language interpreters at all events to promote inclusivity.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda (video)

Published

7 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.