Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1279544,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1279544/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 601,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kanduyi, FORD - K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Makali",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "When the Sugar Act was there, we used to have a Sugar Development Levy, which is being re-introduced in this particular Act. What was its purpose? It was to fund the farmers' activities, provide loans to outgrow institutions and fund many other activities in the sugar sector. The Commodities Fund does not serve the interests of the sugarcane farmer at all. It is gratifying that we are now seeking to bring back the Sugar Development Levy, which will be a critical funding element that will be able to fund activities in the sugar industry. This is very good. Equally, this Act is proposing to bring back the Sugar Fund. The Sugar Fund is a critical element that will assist us in funding activities in the Sugar sector so that we can move on. Hon. Speaker, the sugar industry has also been bedeviled by cheap imports. Currently, sugar companies are not milling, but if you visit our supermarkets, you will find sugar branded Nzoia and Mumias Sugar. All this is because the Government has allowed sugar barons to import sugar cheaply to the detriment of our sugar industry, so much so that farmers are not getting value for their sweat. This Sugar Bill is introducing a licensing mechanism on who should import sugar. We will be proposing Amendments in the Committee of the whole House such that when it comes to sugar importation, quotas should be given to millers themselves to import sugar instead of sugar barons who are now making a kill from the importation of cheap sugar at the expense of our farmers. When we look at governance issues, specifically in the public sugar factories, we have serious governance issues. We have a bloated workforce, and like the Mover of this particular Motion rightly pointed out, it has been used as a political tool to the detriment of the farmer, the goose that lays the golden eggs. We will make proposals in the Committee of the whole House to ensure that the farmers’ voice is heard and that there is orderliness in this particular sector to see how we can assist our farmers. One of the critical things also affecting our public sugar mills is using obsolete and old technology. I give an example of Nzoia Sugar, which uses a technology or a mill installed in 1978. If that mill breaks down right now, you cannot get spare parts. Again, a lot of funds are being used to service obsolete mills. With a new legal regime, we will have a new legal comprehensive framework that will breathe life into our sugar industry so that our farmers can reap what they are entitled to. In the interest of time, and because many Members want to weigh in on this, I will be urging this House that we move with speed to ensure that we pass this Bill so that we can move it to the next level so that the poor farmers of Nzoia Sugar, poor children who cannot go to school, the poor employees of Nzoia Sugar who have not been paid for the last 16 months, can have reprieve. At this particular juncture, we should also thank the Government for stopping what was happening; they wanted to privatize these public sugar factories. These public sugar factories are enacted on land that the locals donated. As leaders, we will never allow privatisation of any public mills that the people put up. We also thank the Mover for giving the county government a role. Agriculture is a devolved function, but the county governments were initially not involved in extension services. If we look at this particular Act, a clear-cut role is given to the county governments to play a critical role in terms of extension services so that our people can win. I support it wholeheartedly. Thank you."
}