Trade and Investment CS Moses Kuria has attempted to separate himself from the edible oil importation controversy exposed by NTV by claiming that edible oil cartels are funding headlines to tarnish his ministry.
According to Kuria, the intervention to have Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) import edible oils was reached to stop the escalation of edible oil prices.
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He told the Speaker that he instructed KNTC to import edible oil to retail one kilo of edible oils at Ksh.250, and as a result of 170,000 jerricans, the price of oil has dropped today to Ksh.218 per litre,
He claimed that after meeting with stakeholders in the industry more than ten times, relief for Kenyans who pay through the nose for healthcare is still a long way off.
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According to the CS, the procedure that led to KNTC awarding Multi Commerce FCZ a Ksh.8.12 billion tender to supply vegetable oil and Shehena Company Limited a Ksh.1.33 billion tender to supply jerricans of edible oil was competitive and not single-sourced.
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He said There is no difference in edible oil regarding single sourcing because they don't treat edible oil any differently than other commodities.
According to the trade CS, KNTC has purchased imported commodities worth Ksh.22.2 billion, with Ksh.4.8 billion deliverable by April 30, 2023.
According to the Trade CS, no payments have been paid to the vendors because the letters of credit have yet to mature.
The CS, who has been under fire in recent days for his attacks on the media following the exposé, stated that five companies, Bidco, Menengai, Kappa, Pwani, and Golden Africa, had monopolies in past regimes at the expense of taxpayers.
He claimed the corporations were importing refined oil and adding little value in Kenya while keeping out other players who would face a 35% fee.
Meanwhile, CS Kuria states that Kenya and Indonesia are working together to plant palm trees in several counties nationwide, including Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Busia, Lamu, and others.
