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{
    "id": 398871,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/398871/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "noting that fruit production is seasonal in nature and that fruits are highly perishable leading to wastage and losses during the high seasons; concerned that the government has not come up with adequate measures of curbing the losses as a means of protecting fruit growers; further concerned that Kenya imports fruits during low seasons; the Senate urges the National Government to develop a policy on fruit preservation and storage through modern refrigeration and to provide incentives to investors to set up fruit processing plants in order to ensure ready demand for fruits which would cushion farmers against losses. This Motion is very simple and clear. It touches on the common mwananchi and the common farmers. If we want to improve the lives of Kenyans, eradicate poverty and to see Kenyans supporting themselves, the first initiative we must undertake is to request the national Government to deal with issues concerning the common mwananchi . First of all, I would like to use the words, “Kenya is a unique country” but in a different way. Kenya is not unique because it uses money to support its citizens. It is unique because it diverts funds that are supposed to be used to benefit Kenyans to areas that do not benefit Kenyans. Madam Temporary Speaker, money has been spent and we have constructed buildings in this country, we have licensed business people in this country who have actually acted in a way that has painted the Government with shame on its face locally and internationally. The reason I am saying that is because in the county I represent, they grow oranges, mangoes and many other fruits. There was a fruit company in Machakos known as the Kenya Orchards. This company used to buy fruits from Machakos to produce jam and other juices but all of a sudden, the company was crippled because it faced challenges from imports that were allowed by the Government. If anybody goes to any supermarket in this country and picks up the fruits that are being sold on the shelves, you will find that oranges are imported from South Africa and other countries. You will find apples imported from South Africa and other countries. Kenya being an agricultural country, the people who are managing the economic issues in this country and those who are in charge of managing the welfare and the interests of Kenyans have moved into supporting those who were importing those items here. Sen. G.G. Kariuki will tell you that if you drive from Laikipia County using Nanyuki Road from Nanyuki Town, you will be amazed because by the time you reach Karatina, you will wonder whether this country truly has got leaders who cannot implement what is supposed to be implemented by leaders. If you look at the roadside, you will see women all the way from Nanyuki filling tins with fruits which they almost give out freely or at throwaway prices to passerbys. The passion fruits that are grown in Karatina do not need value addition to make them sweet, whereas the passion fruit juices that we find in our supermarkets are imported. What a shame! When the mangoes are in season, there are heaps of them being displayed at the markets by the sellers. It is disheartening that we always find billions of Kenya shillings to import maize into this country whereas if the Government set aside only Kshs50 billion, it would be able to come up with some solutions that will only take this country two years and the situation will be settled once and for all. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}