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{
    "id": 1156213,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1156213/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 120,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Shiyonga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13181,
        "legal_name": "Masitsa Naomi Shiyonga",
        "slug": "masitsa-naomi-shiyonga"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support the Sugar Bill that is before us from the National Assembly. I come from the western part of Kenya where sugarcane is a key cash crop. We depend on this crop so much that we have invested a lot in it. With the current situation in Kenya, what is happening in the sugar industry leaves us more discouraged as farmers and as people who have depended on this crop for many years. Our households right now are suffering because they had invested a lot in this crop. I want to point out a few things when it comes to sugar industry. As much as many people here have proposed amendments, I do agree that this Bill looks at it wholesomely without any discrimination; what the stakeholders are taking and what this Bill is speaking about. We do not need to sell our country or livelihoods, especially when you look at Mumias and only look at one person becoming a monopoly of possessing so many industries and zoning areas that he wants to take control of. It is not what we need as Kenyans, especially from the western part of the country, where we depend on this crop. A lot of amendments have been proposed with regard to sugar development levy, sugar fund and research. However, let us give each and every stakeholder an opportunity to understand these proposals. When Pan African Paper Mills in Webuye was in operation, many people in our region were employed. Nonetheless, someone bought it in the name of revamping it and preserving the interests of Kenyans. Right now, it is being used as storage facility of some goods for an individual. Madam Temporary Speaker, we do not need to compromise on livelihoods. There are people who are taking this factory seriously and they mean well for us. Since I was a child, we have been growing sugarcane in our farms. Sugarcane farming thrived during those days and many farmers were able to take their children to school. My father has been selling sugarcane for many years. Sugarcane farming has been part and parcel of our life. I am also a sugarcane farmer in that particular region. Madam Temporary Speaker, currently farmers are suffering because some individuals are importing sugar. They have even bought land in Uganda where they are growing sugarcane. It is a pity that they import sugar from Uganda and package it as Kenyan sugar. It is disheartening for us farmers. Let us listen to the voice of all stakeholders and revive sugar industry. Some Members are coerced to support one miller against the others. This does not augur well in this sector. It is not good to interfere with sugar millers who are helping in improving the livelihoods of Kenyans. We have small-scale farmers who farm sugarcane. They depend on it to feed and take their children to school. I am happy that Butali Sugar Mills in Kakamega, West Kenya Sugar Company Limited and others are buying sugarcane from small scale farmers. Let us continue supporting these companies by coming up with laws that will help our farmers. Let us not preside over collapsing of these companies."
}