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{
    "id": 763313,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/763313/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 239,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Serem",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1162,
        "legal_name": "Cornelly Serem",
        "slug": "cornelly-serem"
    },
    "content": "farmers who were rich are now the poorest in this country and yet, they have huge pieces of land down there. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is very unfortunate that, despite the fact that farmers wake up in the morning, go to their farms and thereafter sell their produce, they are not paid. When you go to those companies, they have no sugar in their stores. Who actually takes their money? Some of the farmers take loans which attract penalties. After millers buy the farmers’ produce, they make standard payments, even if they stay with the produce for more than a year. It is unfortunate. I intend to share this information with the Member of Parliament for Tinderet. He should actually amend the Motion so that we can put a penalty to all the millers. Whenever they make payments, they should do so plus interest so that farmers do not suffer. What is the benefit for a farmer to engage in business and after two or three years, they get delayed payments? There are millers in the same areas that are actually reaping profits. What happened to Chemelil, Miwani, Muhoroni and other sugar companies that are actually State-owned institutions? It is very embarrassing that farmers who could be proud of their own country are actually crying, while their neighbours are smiling. It is very unfortunate because if you go to Kibos and Butali Sugar companies, farmers are happy. But farmers in our neighbourhoods are suffering. What is the problem? I support this Motion that, indeed, those farmers should be paid. I also concur with Hon. Melly that they should be paid within 14 days. It can even be reduced to 10 days because their produce is not in stores. A country that was an exporter is now an importer. Uganda, which is our neighbouring country, is less than 100 kilometres away from parts of the former Western Province and yet, they export while we import. We always discuss the issue of unemployment and yet, the same farmers could be self- employed. Their children are at home and yet, they have sugar-cane farms. But they are not getting profit out of them. I urge the Government to make payments on the same because we have the Kenya Sugar Board. They have been given the responsibility to manage the same and they have let down our farmers. Also, the guys who were given responsibility to handle sugar- cane production should resign. People should take responsibility for their own actions. Those guys are enjoying the funds while farmers suffer. I wish that this Motion is implemented so that our farmers can enjoy the services of what they are doing in their villages. Thank you and I support the Motion."
}