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{
    "id": 610239,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/610239/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 212,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Langat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 384,
        "legal_name": "Benjamin Kipkirui Langat",
        "slug": "benjamin-langat"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, we believe in the arrangement of getting strategic investors with interest in the company, who will develop the cane industry and do the right research. Therefore, we look forward to having this sector back again. I have already talked about the debts and explained to the House how the debts of Kshs33 billion have been written off. The balance will be converted into equity, meaning that the factories will inherit no debts. We want to see new companies which are ready to take off. This process is long overdue because at the end of this month, the Kenya Government has been securing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) safeguards on sugar imports on the promise that they are on track in terms of privatisation plans. The last safeguard expires this month and I am being reminded by my colleague, the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives; that next week the last safeguard on COMESA will expire and we may not get another one. We should move with speed to see that this process is concluded so that the private sector can take over and compete with the other companies from the world. I urge the House to support this process. I have already indicated that the benefit to the farmers, as a package, is the waiver of interest. We have already told the Cabinet Secretary that any outstanding debts to farmers and employees should be settled before the takeover of the new company. I thank the House and request Members to support this Report. I ask my good friend and my namesake, the man who has been fighting for the sugar sector for a long time, hon. Washiali, to second this Report."
}