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{
    "id": 1505661,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1505661/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 277,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mungatana, MGH",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The ginnery closed down, but we were told somebody had purchased the infrastructure. We expected that there would be injection of capital and a fresh start, or perhaps, new machinery would be brought, but that was just a dream because nothing has happened since that time. After being elected a Senator, we have been following up the matter. We have been promised again by the national Government that they will revive the cotton ginnery. They are saying that there is a great demand for cotton that it will be necessary as a matter of demand-supply economics that they support the growth of the industry in Tana River County but that promise has not been implemented. I want to join those who have said many times that we wish well those who are doing coffee and tea farming because they get Government support. However, those of us who have been doing cotton farming in Hola through irrigation have not gotten any Government support since the closure of the ginneries. There has been no attempt at all to revive that industry, despite promises being made by the Government. We are happy that today we are passing a law that says that there will be deliberate efforts to support the growth of cotton industry in Kenya. Since cotton grows in areas that have rainfall deficiency, such as Tana River and other areas that have been mentioned before, we pray that the Government will put money because we are going to pass this law. As we debate here, I know many people will support it. I urge all the other colleagues who are not seated, but listening to this debate from outside that this is one crop that if we give it proper infrastructural support, like we give to coffee, pyrethrum, sugarcane, and tea, many farmers from areas that were previously thought to be marginalised will start making good money and live the dream that Kenya promises. So, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I stand here to support this Motion. I support the amendments that have been brought. This is a promise to the people of Tana River and other areas in this country that have the capacity and potential to grow the crop that it is going to help our people. There is hope that, in fact, this industry is going to start growing again. When we heard that Rivatex East Africa Limited had started working again and that they have cotton deficiency, the joy and celebration of the promise by the national Government that there would be revival of the industry back home in Tana River County was great. However, Rivatex East Africa Limited has been operating and they have been importing cotton. Always importation tends to kill local industries and drain our reserves. Before I sit down, I would like to make a final plea. As we support this law, we urge that in the proposed supplementary estimates by the national Government that some money be put towards supporting farmers in this area. If we support our farmers there, this is where the rubber meets the road. This is where our people will start benefiting from good and wise leadership. Other crops like sugarcane have now seen the light. There is hope for them because they had been forgotten based on how that sector was being managed in this country. We passed that law and now farmers can look forward to a brighter future. Now that we are on cotton, we are praying that farmers in this country, including those from Tana River County, will look forward to better earnings. 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."
}