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"id": 221658,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Wamunyinyi",
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"legal_name": "Athanas Misiko Wafula Wamunyinyi",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other important example which I think I should point out is of the Kenya Sugar Board, which has a sister company called \"the Sugar Development Fund\". I think it was an oversight that we did not separate the functions of the Kenya Sugar Board from those of the Sugar Development Fund when we established the Board. There has been continued discrepancies in accounts. One Chief Executive Officer is running both organisations. The Chief Executive of the Kenya Sugar Board makes decisions at the Board as well as at the Sugar Development Fund. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there has been conflict of interest to the extent that certain accounts cannot be explained, because decisions were taken at the Kenya Sugar Board by members of the Board, which, of course, concerned the Sugar Development Fund. So, it is important that we also work towards harmonising the issue of the relationship between the Kenya Sugar Board and the Sugar Development Fund. The Kenya Sugar Board has been very seriously involved in disputes over importation of sugar year after year. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Public Investments Committee (PIC) had previously recommended that, without compromising the autonomy of the Kenya Sugar Board, and in order to streamline the sugar sector and safeguard the national interest in the importation of sugar, an inter-Ministerial committee be formed, comprising representatives from the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Sugar Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to set guidelines on the importation of sugar. Of course, those guidelines are to be looked at before 31st December of every year. Before that date, those concerned would have the go-ahead to use those guidelines and regulations and undertake the process of importation of sugar. However, from the time when this recommendation was made, nothing has happened. It is one of those I have looked at in the Treasury Memorandum. Nothing has taken place, but we continue to see Members of the Government quarrelling openly. That is very discouraging. I do not want to dwell on that issue, but the Government should act on those recommendations to ensure that we do not see the kind of public verbal exchange that happened recently between Cabinet Ministers over importation of sugar. Lack of knowledge on what the two Ministers were quarrelling about caused the people to speculate. Parliament is not for speculation. So, I do not want to delve into that issue. The recommendation of the Committee is what I am talking about. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to come back to the issue of sugar. As we approach the deadline to the opening up of the market in the region, our farmers have not been helped to get ready for liberalisation. This must be done. We heard, recently, about the case of Nzoia Sugar Factory, where the management was involved in corruption and theft of sugar. The May 16, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1411 Chief Executive Officer and others spent Kshs300 million to service and maintain the factory. However, in spite of spending that much money, the exercise led to poor yields. Now, production is at its lowest ebb. We have learnt that the factory is even closed due to bad management. The workers have gone on strike, et cetera . In order for us to be able to move forward, as a country, and ensure that we help our people, let the Government act on issues which have been brought to its attention. If, really, our teeth are sharpened, and we are ready to bite anybody going the wrong way, these issues, which we keep talking about, will come to an end. So, as I conclude, I want to state that some Government officers, including the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), whom the Chairman has talked about, are doing strange things. Sacking 222 people and recruiting a similar number of people does not result in a saving. I am talking about Mr. George Muhoho. I am not sure of his age, but he must be- --"
}