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{
    "id": 1398565,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1398565/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 215,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "start-ups. We need to encourage more young people if they can get a way of establishing millers. In the past, the issue of sugarcane milling or opening sugar factories was an exclusive of some individuals. Clause 19 has brought contention where it reads that a miller shall not purchase or accept. This one is zoning. I have seen the Committee report and they are not saying there is exclusive zoning. I am happy because exclusive zoning would have meant a specific farmer for a specific miller after contractual obligation. However, we must also fight cane poaching. This is because, at the end of the day, if we do not bring some sanity and order in the sector, we might find cane poaching becomes a problem. Where there will be no order in the sector then there will be no investor confidence. Even as we say that we are allowing start-ups within the country, there are investors who would want to invest in this sugarcane industry. We need to ensure that we have stability by ensuring that there is investor confidence and raw materials supply. I am happy of the wording they have used – geographical area because Kericho, Nandi and Uasin Gishu grow sugarcane. However, as I have said in the past, we have been marginalised. This is our redemption moment for that region. On accountability on farmers’ contracts. This will encourage the confidence of factories to invest in cane development because they have contractual obligation with the farmers. I assure farmers wherever they are, especially the sugarcane farmers that this is not exclusive zoning. This is zoning that will be determined when and approved by the Board and it will ensure that there is proper discipline within that geographical zone. Farmers must also be on the lookout and I am happy of the not less Kshs1 million should one violate. I have seen many people say that there is exclusive zoning. In the reading of this law, there is no exclusive zoning. Farmer agreement, if there is a breakdown in a factory, for example, Chemelil and you are supposed to take your sugar there, the law has allowed you to do an agreement and deliver to West Kenya Sugar Factory. That translates to the farmer not losing the cane. If we do not do that, the farmer can lose the cane. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I assure farmers that this law is work in progress. As one of the sugarcane farmers from Nandi, I see it as work in progress and we can pass it and amend it at any time. Many farmers in Chemelil and other areas gave proposals during the public participation. On the issue of energy generation, I urge the farmers to know that we can use molasses and jaggery not only to generate energy and electricity, apart from renewable energy. However, we are fighting illicit brews and there are people who use molasses and jaggery to make these brews. We need to inform them that we need this jaggery and molasses only for livestock and not for human beings in the fight against illicit brews. They say that too much sugar causes diabetes. We need to avoid it so that we do not encourage the consumption of illicit brews. However, the other day, I was told that Mnazi – palm wine is illicit brew, but I know it is good alcohol. I do not why someone would classify palm wine as illicit. Where I come from, those things we take when our children are undergoing initiation and in initiation ceremonies in Meru and other areas are those kinds of brews. Even where the Deputy Speaker and Senator for Vihiga comes from there are those 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."
}