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{
    "id": 664315,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/664315/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 104,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. J.K. Ng'ang'a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 54,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Nganga Kiuna",
        "slug": "joseph-kiuna"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. As I begin, I want first of all to thank the Mover of this Bill, Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi. This Bill is going to affect sugarcane farmers in Kenya. Though in my view it is overdue, it is not too late. Many farmers, especially in western Kenya and Coast where they grow sugar, have been exploited. They have been suffering. You find that in areas where they grow sugarcane, there is no much development. The little they receive cannot make much development. If only the Government and leaders of those regions can sit and see how they are going to help that small farmer who relies on growing sugarcane, that is the only way they will come out of that abject poverty they have been in ever since. I normally ask myself this question: How come Kenyans have very good cotton soil where we can grow enough sugarcane, not only for our local consumption but also for export yet you hear the Government cannot grow enough wheat to feed its citizens? I totally disagree with that notion. I have a feeling that in Kenya, we have enough qualified and competent people and farmers who can grow enough sugarcane to feed this nation. We will be left with surplus for export. Unfortunately, these farmers have been exploited for long. When that sugarcane gets to the factory, instead of getting their dues--- The management of those factories leaves a lot to be desired. Unless we look at it, that small farmer will continue being exploited. I have a feeling that there is a lot of corruption in the industry itself. That is where all the sweat of that farmer gets lost. On the other side, I have a feeling that there are some cartels that are within or maybe outside the country who collaborate to import sugar into our country. Unless we find a way to set up strict laws that will prevent these cartels from importing sugar, our local farmer will continue suffering. Majority of them do not pay import duty when they bring that sugar yet the ordinary"
}