The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that approves products has approved Mokwa maize flour that is produced by the Kigoto Maize Mill in Suba South constituency, Homa Bay County after information went around that it is unfit for human consumption.
Andrew Maiyo KEBS manager in the lake region, while addressing the press at Homabay county dismissed the reports that the flour had circulated of the flour being dangerous. It was earlier reported by the media that 36 bales of flour were not good for human consumption as they contained high levels of aflatoxin.
A sample was collected for a test on August 28, 2023 and KEBS indicated that their test revealed the flour contained aflatoxin, a poisonous substance that is unfit for human consumption. On Friday the repoert was different, clearing the claims that the approving body had released.
“The Kigoto plant is one of the mills within our jurisdiction which produces a brand of maize called Mokwa which is fully certified by KEBS. Regarding the press report stating that the mill is in danger, we want to assure the public that KEBS has a scheme of supervision and control to ensure the public is not exposed to dangerous products,” Maiyo said.
“Let members of the public understand that Kebs has a scheme of control to ensure they don’t get exposed to dangerous products. The Mokwa flour is safer contrary to the reports doing around,” Maiyo added.
Gladys Wanga, the Homabay governor also clarified the reports and assured that on realizing the few bales that were unsafe for human consumption, they were not released the flour to the market.
“Samples in question, which showed a high aflatoxin content of 19.46 against the maximum limit of 10, were from a consignment of 36 bales of flour that were not meant to be released to the market,” Wanga said in a statement.
The outspoken governor assured that the industry was initiated to curb the unemployment menace that the people of Homabay have been facing for a while. The project which is a governments investment, was also started with an aim to allow the people of the Lake region to consume sifted maize that is safe for human consumption.
“To ensure our people are employed and have money in their pockets, we continuously engage relevant bodies to ensure compliance with set standards and regulations,” Wanga noted.
Gladys Wanga also pointed out that the county government is working hard to establish another industrial park at Riwa.