Detectives Impound One Million Bags of Toxic Rice in Mombasa

One million bags of toxic rice have been impounded in a godown in Mombasa, raising more questions on the safety of products Kenyans are consuming.

The impounding of the rice comes even before dust on claims of poisonous sugar in Kenyan market settles. The sugar was reported to have been contaminated with poisonous compounds including heavy metals such as mercury, lead and copper. 

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti said the grain was nabbed after a report compiled by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and state agencies including National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Also seized were more than 400 containers of cooking oil in 20kg jerrican that fell short of required safety standards. The oil is said to been imported from Malaysia.

 “Yes, it’s true we have impounded about one million bags of rice stored in some warehouses in Mombasa. We believe some of the toxic rice may have been sneaked into the market,” Said Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), said the rice, which was originally imported from Pakistan, had been declared as unfit for human consumption and was past the expiry date by three years.

“They print new bags with fresh expiry dates then repackage the rice ready for entry through the port. Some of the rice had been condemned about three years ago as unfit for human consumption,” the DCI boss added.