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{
    "id": 1156215,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1156215/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 122,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Shiyonga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13181,
        "legal_name": "Masitsa Naomi Shiyonga",
        "slug": "masitsa-naomi-shiyonga"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, there is no need for us to support some companies at the expense of others because we have been given few coins. Let us support all companies so that we stop these rogue individuals from importing sugar. Why is the Government allowing some cartels to import sugar while our farmers continue to cultivate sugarcane? Why kill this industry by allowing importation of sugar into this country? We have fertile land in Western Kenyan that is good for growing sugarcane. Farmers in some parts of Rift Valley are also now involved in sugarcane farming. Some have stopped planting maize because sugarcane farming has high returns. Let us encourage it by passing laws and policies that will create an enabling environment for millers and people who depend on the sugarcane farming. These laws should aid the small-scale farmers to realise high yields. As I said, let us not legislate to benefit few individual millers. Any time we come up with a Bill to improve this industry, we need to listen to all stakeholders. I would like to go on record that during public participation, the millers and other stakeholders be invited to give their views because they have a lot of experience in this industry. It is a pity that some people or investors have come to siphon and impoverish sugarcane farmers. Farmers are really suffering. A tonnage is sold at Kshs4,000, but a farmer takes home only Kshs2,000 or less. What does that mean? We are going to kill other sugar millers in the same way we killed Mumias Sugar Company Limited. We are destroying sugar millers because we are planting sugarcane outside the country. We then repackage it as Kenyan sugar and label it ‘Made in Kenya.’ We need to be keen on what we are doing. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is important that amendments are brought in regard to the Sugar Arbitration Tribunal and the Kenya Sugar Board as proposed in the Bill. Are they going to add any value? Are we coming up with a proposal for people to siphon more funds from the farmers? Who is going to oversight the Sugar Arbitration Tribunal and the Kenya Sugar Board? We need to encourage millers to have an input on what farmers need to plant that can give them high yield. The sugar industry agreements have been recognized widely. Agriculture in this country is devolved. However, let us not impose unnecessary policies that will kill sugar milers and, at the same time, kill small-scale farmers who have invested a lot in this sector. Madam Temporary Speaker, I would like to propose amendments on the clause that establish the Kenya Sugar Board and the Sugar Development Levy. When a farmer invests in the sugar industry, let nobody bring in policies that will kill this important industry. We do not want to see some predominant millers who will buy a few legislators here to pass this Bill. The Bill had better die other than passing it---"
}