Lawmakers have called for the immediate resignation of Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) Managing Director Esther Ngari over the alleged loss of Sh420 million in the institution through forgery and falsification of documents.

The MPs who sit in Trade, Industry and Cooperatives committee chaired by Shinyalu MP Bernard Shinali have also summoned the MD to appear before them, failure to which they would ask the Inspector General of Police to arrest her and present her to the committee.

The committee has also asked Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo to appear before it alongside Ngari.

The MPs claimed that Kebs laxity to check on whether the foods Kenyans were consuming is of good quality has led to an increase in the cancer cases.

They cited the substandard sugar, the fertilizer scandal, the edible oil scam, the substandard maize and rice as among the commodities that Kebs had allowed entry into the country at the expense of Kenyans.

Said the committee vice chair and Aldai MP Marriane Kitany: “The reason we have many cases of cancer today is because of the things that we are consuming as they do not adhere to the safety standards.”

Added: “Kebs is a public entity that ensures Kenyans are protected as they consume goods and services in the country. The MD ought to have at least appeared before us to respond to the serious allegations. Kenyans need to know if they are safe consuming what they are consuming.”

Flouted constitution

The decision of the members came after Ngari failed to appear before the committee to shed light on the matter following allegations that Kebs had flouted certain sections of the constitution, the leadership and integrity act and the Public Officer Ethics Act and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

Although she had confirmed that she would appear before the committee, she however changed tune and said that she was not available as had an official engagement outside the country that coincided with her scheduled appearances and requested that the meeting be rescheduled.

Documents forwarded to the committee allegedly authored by a section of staff at the agency shows that apart from forgery and falsification of documents, there was unprocedural purchases, payments and employment at the institution and importation of contaminated rice, among others.

Said Shinali: “We shall not just sit and watch as Kenya becomes a dumping ground for substandard and contaminated goods. It is sad that the management of Kebs doesn’t care for the Health of Kenyans.”
Weighty matter

He added: “We wrote to Ms Ngari requesting her to appear before this committee to respond to the weighty matter that touches on the safety of the food among others, that Kenyans consume. She requested the committee to appoint a date of her choice but decided not to appear even after the committee agreed to her date of choice, she fails to appear to respond to issues without any regrets and is not even responding to inquiries from the Clerk’s office.”

Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina called for her resignation over her failure to attend the sitting saying that it is obvious that Kenyans are living only by court orders.

He said: “We are telling them to come here because the public is mandated to check and to play the opposite role and to defend the public. So, if they are not here, Chair, I want to talk to my colleagues. The first thing that they did was to be told to step aside.”

He added: “I know there are people that believe they have protection from the above. But the life of Kenyans is more important than protection from the Minister or even from any other person from this country. I want to ask you, if that is the direction you will take, we will also pronounce ourselves that whatever Kenyans are pursuing is not safe. You remember that they were supposed to check on the sugar.”

Kuresoi MP Alfred Mutai also called for her resignation because the allegations were serious owing to the fact that the agency is supposed to ensure that whatever commodities that Kenyans consume is of high standards.

He said: “I will also follow my colleague, Honorable Parashina, on what he has said. My expectation is, maybe with the disappearance of the MD, maybe in the next few minutes will be the breaking news that she has resigned from these camps. “

Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo argued that any person refusing to attend an invitation to Parliament commits a breach of the law and actually is against the provisions of the Standing Order.

He said: “So obviously now with this failure to appear, and noting the gravity of the accusations levelled against KEBS and the MD, Parliament will have to seek the approval of the speaker, and indeed issue the final summons. And if she continues to defy, then as provided in the Standing Order, we might have to ask the police to compare her to appear in person. And I think, Chair, we need to pick up this matter. But this is a contempt. And it’s a disrespect to the institution of Parliament.”

Masinga MP Joshua Mwalyo accused Ngari of taking the committee for a ride following her failure to appear before the committee while Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu termed her action as being grievous.

Said Gichimu: “For the MD to fail to show up despite assuring us that she will do so is very unfortunate. Actually, it’s a very grievous disregard to Parliament, because this committee is an extension of Parliament.”