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{
    "id": 586988,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/586988/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 33,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Abdalla",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 382,
        "legal_name": "Amina Ali Abdalla",
        "slug": "amina-abdalla"
    },
    "content": "(4) The establishment of sugar factories was welcomed by a majority of the stakeholders. The concern of the residents seems to be the close proximity of the two factories from each other which they think will lead to poaching. (5) Finally, a letter by the Sugar Board of Kenya on the unauthorised construction of a sugar company by the West Kenya Sugar Factory contradicts NEMA’s assertion and requires an independent finding. Hon. Speaker, on the prayer of the petitioners, the Committee’s findings are as follows:- (1) There is no construction of a dam as indicated in the prayers of the petitioners and, therefore, the prayer cannot be granted. There is also enough water in the Suo River as per the submission by the WRMA to support the use by both residents and the factory. (2) The NEMA and the WRMA should carry out public participation, as required by Article 69(d) of the Constitution, for major projects that may affect water levels in rivers. (3) Proactive steps should be taken by the NEMA and the WRMA to inform the community of the intention of West Kenya Sugar Company to obstruct water at Nambale. (4) Finally, and this seems to be the bone of contention in this matter, the Committee recommends to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives to address, through legislation, the distances between sugar companies because this appears to be leading to unhealthy business rivalry that is not suitable for the development of the sugar sector in the region, and may be the basic issue under this Petition. The reason why I thought it was important to raise these matters is that a lot of time petitioners have underlying issues they want addressed but their prayers raise separate issues. For example, when we reached Busia we realised that their problem was the close proximity of the factories, but their prayers did not address that aspect. Therefore, we could not answer their prayers as they wanted yet they had invested in this Petition. As a House, we probably need to mount a public awareness campaign on petitions and the importance of prayers made to this House through petitions since we cannot answer prayers not contained in their petitions. I wish to thank you and the House for allowing us to go to the ground. If we had just listened to the petitioners in Nairobi, we would not have got the wider perspective that we got."
}