KEBS boss on the spot as MPs demand resignation over Sh429 million scandal

Members of Parliament have renewed calls for the resignation of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Esther Ngari, blaming her for what they described as rampant mismanagement and failure to stop the entry of contaminated products into the Kenyan market.

MPs sitting in the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee voiced their frustration during a heated session on Monday, after Ngari failed to attend a scheduled appearance to respond to serious allegations involving Sh429 million in questionable transactions.

The committee, chaired by Shinyalu MP Bernard Shinali, accused her of showing disrespect to Parliament by skipping the meeting despite having chosen the date herself.

“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,” said Shinali.

"She fails to appear to respond to issues without any regrets and is not even responding to inquiries from the Clerk’s office."

The committee warned that continued failure to honor its summons would force it to seek intervention from law enforcement.

The MPs said they were considering asking the Inspector General of Police to arrest and present Ngari before them if she keeps ignoring their calls.

The committee also summoned Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo to appear alongside Ngari in the next session, with MPs keen to get to the bottom of the matter.

According to documents submitted to the committee and believed to have been authored by KEBS staff, the bureau is accused of forging documents, violating procurement procedures, making irregular payments, and clearing contaminated rice for entry into the country.

These revelations angered lawmakers, who said they feared for the safety of Kenyans consuming unregulated goods.

"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," said Shinali.

Committee vice-chairperson and Aldai MP Marianne Kitany raised concerns over rising cancer cases in the country, blaming KEBS for allowing unsafe food products into the market due to weak oversight.

"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," Kitany said.

"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."

Other MPs echoed similar sentiments, insisting that Ngari's failure to appear was an open show of arrogance and lack of accountability. Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina was among the most vocal in calling for her immediate resignation.

"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. 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,” said Parashina.

"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."

Kuresoi MP Alfred Mutai said the gravity of the allegations made it impossible for Ngari to continue holding office.

"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," he remarked.

Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo accused Ngari of breaking the law by ignoring Parliament’s summons and said the committee had no option but to escalate the matter.

"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," said Oundo.

"And if she continues to defy, then as provided in the Standing Order, we might have to ask the police to compel her to appear in person. And I think, Chair, we need to pick up this matter. But this is contempt. And it’s a disrespect to the institution of Parliament."

Masinga MP Joshua Mwalyo said the KEBS boss was avoiding accountability, while Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu described her absence as an insult to the legislative arm of government.

"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," Gichimu stated.

The committee maintained that it would keep pushing for answers from KEBS and said it expects other government agencies to take the allegations seriously and begin appropriate action.