Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov't, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal

Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal

Former Cabinet Secretary and 2027 presidential hopeful Eliud Owalo has called on investigative agencies to move with speed over explosive claims of a multi-billion shilling sugar scandal

Owalo warned that the matter raises serious concerns about public health and institutional integrity.

In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, April 17, Owalo urged both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately commence inquiries into the alleged diversion of industrial sugar into the domestic market.

The former CS said the allegations, first brought to light through a front-page exposé by The Standard newspaper, point to a potentially dangerous breach of food safety regulations, involving sugar that was never intended for direct human consumption.

Muhindis destroyed Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) that was at Kibos in Kisumu County and turned it into a holding ground for imported sugar which is a by-product of ethanol production in Brazil. So Kenyans are swallowing carcinogens in imported sugar, develop cancer,… pic.twitter.com/DMyNmPxsfC
— Ike Ojuku (@IkeOjuku) April 17, 2026

Investigations highlighted by the publication claim that a consignment valued at approximately Ksh3 billion, initially imported as industrial raw material, was repackaged and distributed for household use, raising alarm over possible health risks to consumers.

According to the report, the sugar, linked to some two sugar companies, was allegedly diverted into the retail market despite being designated strictly for industrial processing, with insiders suggesting the existence of a well-connected cartel.

Further revelations indicate that the questionable consignment may have benefited from protection by senior public officials, enabling it to bypass regulatory scrutiny and enter circulation while oversight agencies failed to act.

Owalo, in his response, asserted that industrial sugar is subject to strict legal and safety protocols and should never be consumed directly unless it undergoes proper processing and certification under Kenyan law.

He pointed to the Sugar Act as a critical legal framework designed to regulate importation, quality assurance, and distribution within the sector.

He also warned that any deliberate circumvention of these provisions would constitute a grave violation.

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The 2027 State House hopeful cautioned that if the allegations are confirmed, the country would not just be dealing with regulatory failure but a systemic breakdown involving corruption and collusion within key institutions.

He added that beyond the immediate health risks, the scandal could have far-reaching economic implications.

Which includes distortion of the sugar market, unfair competition, and further strain on local sugarcane farmers already grappling with industry challenges.

Owalo, a former Presidential Advisor, also called for urgent action to identify and remove any suspected sugar consignments currently in circulation.

Scandal alert in Kenya 🇰🇪⚠️
Owalo calls for urgent EACC & DCI probe into alleged KSh 3B fake sugar scheme 🚨
Claims: industrial sugar diverted into homes without proper safety checks
Health fears + corruption claims rising
Kenyans demand answers. pic.twitter.com/6ojS76HqaG
— Know Your Kenya (@Know0YourKenya) April 17, 2026

He urged relevant agencies, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the Ministry of Health (MoH), to coordinate a swift response.

Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal