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{
    "id": 1012699,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1012699/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 378,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mwingi West, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Charles Nguna",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13445,
        "legal_name": "Charles Ngusya Nguna",
        "slug": "charles-ngusya-nguna"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank our Chairman, Hon. Kenta, for bringing a wonderful Report. I would like to inform you that I was part of the delegation of Members who travelled to Western Kenya and Nyanza to investigate this matter. I recall that the effort took two days traversing and criss-crossing Muhoroni, Chemelil, Mumias, Miwani and all the way to South Nyanza Sugar Company. I am not emotional but I am one of the biggest losers because I was a shareholder in Mumias Sugar Company. I lost millions of shillings because of this. While carrying out this investigation, we traversed many areas and witnessed dilapidated structures. There were no access roads to some of those companies. We are seeking the reintroduction of the sugar levy so that we can revive some of that infrastructure. In Mumias, we met 4,000 farmers and without doubt, sugar farming was their only source of income. Their livelihoods depended on sugar-cane farming. They were so desperate. They requested us to recommend for the revival of Mumias Sugar Company. I am agitated because this Report has not been prioritized even after two investigations. We did this Report last year and we are discussing it this year. I hope we are not legislating in vain. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, careless management was an issue that was cutting across all the sugar factories. I recall that the Chairperson of Mumias Sugar Company addressed us, but she did not have any information regarding the company. Some of the staff were from other sectors and have never managed in the economic sector. The staff had not been properly constituted. I recall an incident between Mumias Sugar Company and the KRA where there was collusion of exports and money was deposited in a foreign account. The Committee tasked the EACC to investigate that matter, but it has not done so. There was also misuse of resources. There are individuals who were mentioned in the matter, but they are still walking free. The auditors of those companies have not been disclosing their financial status. For example, Mumias Sugar Company was a going concern, but that was not mentioned in the report of the auditor. As I conclude, I would like to request you to add me a minute. We should revive the sugar industry. If the President is serious with the Big Four Agenda, and agriculture being one of them, sugar has more potential of attracting exportation than coffee."
}