Revealed: Aldai MP Marianne Kitany Poisoned 30 Schools With Contaminated Sugar Donation

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has confirmed that sugar donated by Aldai MP Maryanne Kitany to at least 30 schools within her constituency was contaminated and unfit for human consumption, raising serious health concerns for students who consumed the products.

According to a KEBS report released on February 18, 2025, the sugar failed multiple safety tests, including standards for conductivity ash, invert sugar, moisture content, polarization, water insoluble matter, total viable count, and yeast and molds content.

“The sugar is not fit for human consumption,” stated Vincent Cheruiyot, the KEBS regional manager for North Rift, in the official report.

Schools affected

The contaminated sugar was distributed to numerous learning institutions under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), including; Ndurio Secondary School, Secondary School, Chepkongony Secondary School,  Secondary School, Kapkures Secondary School, Kaptumek Secondary School, Koyo Secondary School, Maraba High School, Kesegon High School, Koitabut High School, Banja High School and others.

By the end of January, over 400 bags of the contaminated sugar had been distributed to these institutions, with many schools having already used the product before the KEBS findings were published.

Discovery of contamination

Aldai MP Maryanne Kitany

The issue came to light when the board of management at Ndurio Secondary School raised concerns about the sugar’s quality in January 2025, prompting them to request KEBS intervention.

Acting swiftly, KEBS officials from the North Rift Region collected samples for laboratory testing, ultimately confirming the sugar did not meet the required standards set by the KS EAS:2021 Kenya Standard.

When contacted about the matter, MP Kitany acknowledged that the sugar was purchased from a contracted local dealer and stored before distribution to the schools. She defended both herself and the supplier, suggesting they were victims of counterfeit products in the market.

“We have also raised our concerns with KEBS to explain how the banned sugar made its way to the local market. It has been confirmed that the sugar was locked up at Mombasa ports, but rogue officers allowed substandard products into the market,” Kitany stated.

This incident comes amid other quality control concerns linked to the legislator.

In a separate but related matter, MP Kitany’s family has been connected to the recent fake fertilizer scandal that led to impeachment proceedings against Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, her former husband.

Investigations revealed that Mems Distributors Ltd, a company reportedly owned by Kitany’s brother, Collins Kipchumba Ngetich, partnered with Kel Chemicals to supply subsidized fertilizer during the 2023/2024 financial year.

The government subsequently shut down Kel Chemicals’ operations after discovering the distribution of substandard fertilizer.

When questioned about these connections, Kitany denied any involvement with Mems Distributors, stating, “I have no interests and also not aware of any of its dealings with any government entities. That (conflict of interest in awarding Mems Distributors a contract) is between CS Linturi and the directors of Mems.”

Health officials have not yet reported any illnesses directly linked to the contaminated sugar consumption at the affected schools, but experts caution that consuming products with high yeast, mold, and other contaminants could pose significant health risks, particularly with prolonged exposure.

The incident has raised questions about oversight and quality control processes for donations made through the NG-CDF program.

KEBS and public health officials continue to monitor the situation.