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"id": 30347,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Onyancha",
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"legal_name": "Charles Onyancha",
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"content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. I stand to support this very important Motion. I would like to thank hon. Ababu Namwamba for introducing it today. As I speak, there is a crisis in parts of the country regarding food. I feel sad that part of the reason for that is our own making. It is related to corruption and lack of good seed. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I am sure that you had time to read the newspaper yesterday which indicated that maize production in Kuria, Kisii and in your own constituency, Sotik, was very poor because of bad seed. This just underscores the importance of Kenya Farmers Association (KFA). During KFA’s time, seed was properly certified and assistance given to the farmer through extension officers, cheap inputs as well through credit supply. I remember when the late hon. Chesire was in charge of KFA how he supported farming in this country and how successful it was. I attribute part of the problems we have today to the failure of this very important institution which, had it been left to work on its own, would probably have contributed to a successful ending to problems we have with regard to food security as well as management. As I support this Motion, I must say here and now, that we are trying to build strong institutions so as to bring our country to a level of production, especially in food that can feed, not only our people but supply our neighbours and use it as an export product. It is my hope that with the injection of Kshs1.3 billion, which, indeed, is quite small, this institution will rise and give us support as Kenyans and as farmers to ensure that we are self-sufficient. In supporting it as well, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I must stress the need for good governance, prudent financial management and accountability and transparency. We do not want to give this money to an institution that is in a state of collapse with poor governance capacity. We would like to see some of the money being used to enhance capacity and management so that it is put into good use. As much as I do not want to introduce an amendment to the Motion to increase the sum, I think we can save part of this funding if it comes through and use it as working capital and also for capacity building. The National Bank of Kenya (NBK) is one of the institutions that are owed money by the KFA. First of all, we know that the NBK has been experiencing similar problems and has been a subject of bail out. I hope that it will be upon them to request for payment on the principal sum and write off the interest because that will leave some funding for KFA to do other projects and have working capital to ensure efficiency. With regard to the Barclays Bank, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, with regard to the loan of Kshs380 million, I am informed it includes interests. I would urge that in giving this funding, the new management of the KFA institution will negotiate with the Barclays Bank so that they could write off the interest. In case, they do not, at least, they would ensure that the in duplum rule works so that they do not pay more than double the amount of funding that they initially received. I cannot stress, enough, the importance of this institution with regard to the support it can give farmers in respect of prices stabilization, credit supply, marketing and all that. I feel, very strongly, that it is time that this Motion was passed and the Government gives it funding immediately. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}