The alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of the condemned sugar has been apprehended and is scheduled to appear in court today.

Chrispus Waithaka was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) upon his arrival from Dubai, despite having been granted an anticipatory bail of Ksh. 100,000.

He will be charged alongside five other Mombasa, Kajiado, and Nairobi vendors concerning the theft and distribution of contaminated sugar into the local market.

PHOTO | COURTESY Sugar Scandal 

Chrispus Waithaka, the man suspected of masterminding the tainted sugar robbery, was apprehended by DCI investigators as soon as he stepped off the plane. Waithaka, in what appears to be a well-planned move, had a copy of an interim decision for anticipatory bail of Ksh.100,000 granted by the high court in Mombasa. 

The shop is under police surveillance, and three trailers thought to have delivered the shipment to this facility have been removed.

Investigations into the sugar scam have also led to the arrest of two dealers from Nairobi's Eastleigh neighbourhood, one from Mombasa, and another from Kitengela, Kajiado, as some of the outlets for sugar were declared unfit for human use but found in Kenyan stores.

PHOTO | COURTESY sugar scandal

In 2018, 20,000 50kg bags of sugar were deemed unfit for human consumption. They were designated for conversion into industrial ethanol in a procedure by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KEBS) and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). 

President William Ruto's administration has suspended 27 government personnel due to the scandal, with the Head of State threatening intense punishment against those found complicit, regardless of their position in government.

Monday's anticipated court appearance is expected to kickstart the accountability process in the scandal that has jeopardized the health of thousands of ordinary Kenyans and appears set to unearth high political operatives suspected of being involved in the sugar scandal's release.