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{
    "id": 1281154,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1281154/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1194,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyando, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Jared Okello",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "When we talk about sugar importers, it is a tiny sector, a tiny populace with briefcase companies but masquerades in town as sugar importers. They do not have employees in their custody. So, people are given permits to import sugar but only address the plight of only ten people. Yet, companies’ concerns can be properly addressed, and millions of people under their jurisdiction can have a livelihood. We only hope, therefore, that going forward - and we have put this into the Bill - we must understand that we have a shortage and that sometimes our country produces much less than what the country needs. During that period when there is a shortage, we have given a provision upon which licenses can be issued superintended by a competent authority so that we do not have a glut of sugar in the country by sugar barons who only benefit to the detriment of our suffering farmers. I hope that people from Western Kenya, Rift Valley, and Coastal regions - because we also visited Kwale, and they are doing a splendid job there - will realise the benefits of sugarcane. My Chair has ably stated about the research institute proposed in the Bill. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we are still relying on the older Ken variety that takes between 18 to 24 months to mature, and yet through inventions and innovations, we have had sugarcane that can take up to ten months to one year to mature. That is the direction that we need to go. How do we have our people growing the right seeds to address these problems? People have chosen to substitute their farms with maize instead of sugarcane because maize takes three months, and sugarcane takes forever. How do we then respond to the needs of our farmers in a way that they will generate their income within the shortest possible time, just like with any other commodity? This is the direction that we are taking. I thank Members of the Departmental Committee of Agriculture and Livestock. I can see some Members here, like Hon. Salasya, Hon. PK, and Hon. Double N. I see my brother and immediate neighbour, Hon. Kemei, and my able Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Yegon. That is so that whatever we have put our hands on will not go in vain. That this House will be rallied behind to support this so that, for once, we have something to stand on. This is not a new Bill to us. It has been here before. It was frustrated at the Senate. How do we then marshal the Senate behind us so that we do not lag and throw the bath water with the baby? Finally, I appeal to Members of this House to know that we, by extension, ship our jobs abroad when we do many imports. It is better to produce locally and have our investments worked upon in this country."
}