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{
    "id": 1398563,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1398563/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "think that is a small thing. It is basic courtesy. As the Vice-Chairperson of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), I cannot visit Meru without informing you, as the area Senator. My people in Nandi County are not happy because, we are entrenching the perception that sugarcane is only grown in Kisumu, Vihiga and Kakamega counties. It is very unfortunate. Most of those mills are sustained by the cane supply from Nandi County. On the second point, I know there are many challenges on the issue of sugarcane development, processing, milling and farmers. Most sugarcane farmers in Western Region and other parts of the country will continue to suffer and get frustrated. I agree, in as much as cane farmers continue to develop, I am disappointed because the roads that are being used, especially within Nandi in Tinderet and Mosop sub-counties where sugar cane is grown--- We have never seen the cess that comes from Butali Sugar Company or a number of sugar companies that get sugarcane from Nandi. This is because that cess is supposed to be used to maintain and ensure those roads are accessible. This is so that when these sugar factories carry sugarcane from farmers, they should maintain those roads. That is why we saw increased tractor accidents. During question time, I remember the Senator for Kisumu County raising the issue of tractor accidents. We need to be careful with the low volume roads. We need to ensure that we protect those roads and they go to the next --- Number three on sugar industry stakeholders statutory report of 2019; I can see that a number of issues have been captured. I have had the opportunity of reading the Committee Report that was tabled yesterday. I am impressed that a number of amendments have been proposed by the committee led by Sen. (Dr.) Murango, the Senator for Kirinyaga County, the Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and fisheries. As you are aware, in 2022, the country produced 796,000.53 metric tons. We can attribute this to subsidized fertilizer programme that President William Ruto initiated. In 2021, it was 700,000.24 metric tons, but in 2022 it increased. There was also a significant growth even in January/December, 2023. In 2022, total amount of sugar that was sold was Kshs4.56 billion. We are talking about a sector that is affecting a number of counties. We have more than 17 sugar mills in Kenya; both private and public. I do not know whether the one from where Sen. Cheruiyot comes from has been included. Total processing capacity per day is 52,700 metric tons, which is 56 per cent. We are still doing badly because of factory maintenance and unstable cane supply. We must invest in cane development and supply to ensure that we are able to--- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will only make five comments then allow my colleagues to contribute. There is a board that has been formed. We had lumped all the crops into one organization; the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA). I am happy with the way we did with the Tea Act. We were able to form a Tea Board and now, we are forming the Kenya Sugar Board. We will ensure that they focus their energy only on the development of cane and research within which includes the farm inputs, the seeds and the imports. This is so that we do not import sugar at the expense of our farmers. They should also offer advisory The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}