Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi has demanded that Kenya Bureau of Standards Chief Executive Officer Esther Ngari quit immediately for delivering contradictory signals concerning a shipment of edible oils that has been mired in a safety crisis.

The latest comes in the wake of a developing controversy involving 125,000 metric tons of edible oil worth Ksh.16.5 billion obtained in June 2023.

The lawmaker accused the CEO of caving in to threats and attending secret discussions in order to change her previous decision.

“The other day, they told us that the imported edible oils were unfit for human consumption, but she went back on her word after backdoor meetings and threats,” Kibagaendi said.

Following KEBS’s declaration that the oil is acceptable for human consumption and that insoluble impurities and vitamin A are not health check factors, there has been much dispute regarding the safety of the recently imported edible oils.

“She went on to say sorry the edible oils are now fit for human consumption. They are cutting deals everywhere and that is what Cs are doing, PS are doing, including everyone else in government,” Kibagendi said.

Kibagendi continued, stating that the corruption inside the public system is pervasive and even reaches the highest levels of government.

“It rots from the head. When the head is not giving direction and demonstrating integrity, hard work, and a spirit of transformation in this country, then the rest of the body follows suit, “ he asserted.

The Kenya National Trading Corporation’s (KNTC) Managing Director was notified by KEBS on September 5th that the edible oil was unsafe for human consumption.

“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.

On November 6, KEBS issued a statement stating that edible oils have satisfied the safety and health requirements outlined in the relevant Kenya Standard.

”As regards to the edible oil, KEBS sampled, re-inspected, and tested the edible oils imported by Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC). From the tests done, the edible oil complied with all the health and safety parameters of the applicable Kenya Standard (KS EAS 769: 2019),” stated KEBS.