{"id":806284,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/806284/?format=json","text_counter":24,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"in making this Statement and asking for investigation into this matter by the appropriate committee of the Senate, I am cognizant of two things. First, under the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, agriculture is a devolved function and so the Senate and its committees must be at the centre stage of any investigations into matters concerning agriculture. Specifically, sugarcane is one of the most important cash crops in Kenya and undoubtedly the most important in the Western Kenya counties. Secondly, under Article 96 of the Constitution, one of the main functions of the Senate is to represent the county governments and protect their interests. Mr. Speaker Sir, the County of Kakamega is a major stakeholder in the sugar industry. The county is the home of three large sugar mills namely; Mumias Sugar Company, Butali Sugar Mills and West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd. In terms of capacity, Mumias Sugar is the largest sugar mill in Kenya whilst West Kenya is the second largest. As we all know, Mumias Sugar Company has been facing many challenges in recent years leading to its closure partly on account of mismanagement and cane shortages. As a direct consequence of the closure of Mumias Sugar Company, the importance of Butali and West Kenya Sugar Companies from the standpoint of employment and economic mainstay of farmers in Kakamega County cannot be gainsaid. Butali Sugar Mill employs about 1000 people and has contracted about 40,000 farmers to supply it with cane. On its part, West Kenya Sugar Factory employs 3500 workers and has contracted over 60,000 small scale-farmers to supply it with cane. Mr. Speaker Sir, I have underscored these economic facts because in the ongoing controversy over contraband sugar, I have heard sensational calls for withdrawal of milling licenses to companies such as West Kenya Sugar Company that have been adversely mentioned in the contraband sugar saga. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I concede that appropriate action should be taken against all entities that upon full, comprehensive and objective investigations will be found culpable for either illegal importation of sugar or trading in contaminated or poisonous sugar. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sugar cartels will be the major beneficiaries of any hasty punitive action against sugar millers in Kenya. Therefore, because of the multiple interests of stakeholders involved in the sugar sector, I rise to caution that withdrawal of licences or any adverse action against millers should come after investigations and not before those investigations are concluded, including by the appropriate Committee of this august House. 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."}