Trade committee summons Kebs boss over alleged Sh420 million scandal 

The National Assembly’s Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has resolved to summon the Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Ms. Esther Ngari, over allegations of a Sh420 million loss at the agency through forgery and falsification of documents.

The Committee, chaired by Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), made the decision today after Ms. Ngari failed to appear before the members to respond to the serious allegations of financial mismanagement.

The claims stem from a whistleblower letter allegedly authored by staff within KEBS. According to the letter, the agency is accused not only of financial irregularities but also of unprocedural procurement, unauthorized payments, irregular employment, and the importation of contaminated rice.

“It’s unfortunate that the KEBS MD, Esther Ngari, failed to show up and explain herself to Kenyans regarding the allegations facing the agency,” said Shinali.

“As a House team, we have resolved to summon her to appear before the Committee over these grave allegations.”

Ngari had initially been invited to appear before the Committee on March 27, 2025.

In response, she wrote to the Committee stating she was out of the country on official duty and requested to appear today, Monday April 7, 2025.

However, she did not show up and failed to communicate her whereabouts, a move that angered the lawmakers in the Committee.

“The issue of importing contaminated rice is a serious national concern. It cannot be taken lightly as it directly affects the health and wellbeing of Kenyans,” said Marianne Kitany, the Committee’s Vice Chairperson.

She added: “KEBS is a public agency mandated to protect consumers. The MD should have appeared to answer to these serious allegations. Kenyans deserve to know whether the rice and other product they are consuming are safe.”

Other Committee members Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), Robert Gichimu (Gichugu), Samuel Parashina (Kajiado South), Hon. Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), and Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North), echoed similar sentiments.

“Any person who ignores a Parliamentary summons violates the law and the Standing Orders,” stated Oundo.

“This is contempt and disrespect to the institution of Parliament.”

“For the MD to fail to appear despite confirming her attendance is deeply regrettable. It demonstrates gross disregard for Parliament, and this Committee, which is an extension of it,” observed Gichimu.

At the session, the Committee also resolved to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, and the Principal Secretary for Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, to accompany the KEBS boss and provide clarification on the matter.