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{
    "id": 1018223,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1018223/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 76,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "The history of the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) is so well known. While saying this, I recognize the good efforts of our colleague, Sen. Ndwiga. Many people perhaps may not remember what he did during his days as the Minister for Corporative Development, in winning back KCC that had been under-valued and bought by the same people who ensured they brought it down to its knees. These games that are being played on our parastatals were increasingly used. You deny them funds and good leadership, then after they have collapsed, you buy them at throwaway prices. It is an old tactic that this Parliament must stand up against. We cannot do these kinds of transfers of public institutions without referring to Parliament. It is a provision under the law and there is a good reason for that. The good reason is because Parliament checks on the excesses of the Judiciary and the Executive because as representatives of the people, we are checked directly by the people. The citizens of Kericho will ask me what I was doing when all these State corporations were being sold to ‘sharks’ and business people. It will be a travesty of justice if this Committee does not summon the CS responsible. Let them give us good reason they feel that it is proper for the military to take over, what the long plan is and the security of farmers who will supply. Military officers are trained for combat and not for business. When you supply and there is a dispute, how will you even access the barracks to be able to put in your dispute? Mr. Speaker Sir, there are many questions that need to be clear because we know the history of parastatals in this country; what has happened to them and what people have done over the years whenever they wanted to profit from taxpayers’ money. We have a similar dispute. Just this morning, we were with the CS in charge of Agriculture trying to sort out the mess that is in the tea sector. This is because in the year 2000, we converted a parastatal known as Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) to become a private company. Twenty years down the line, tea farmers are suffering, and there is nothing the Government can do, because once it goes to private hands, it is so difficult to get it out of them. They become strong and even have the economic power to frustrate the Government. Every opportunity that the Government tries to reverse the messes that are created, they will rush to court and have the financial resources to do it. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}