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{
    "id": 810292,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/810292/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 36,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "Hon. Speaker, I rise to give progress report regarding the importation of contraband and allegedly contaminated sugar following your direction on Wednesday 20th June 2018 and pursuant to provisions of Standing Order No.202 that a joint sitting of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and that of Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives be held to investigate, inquire into and report within 10 days on the alleged importation of sugar into the country. The days are to expire on 30th June, 2018. I wish to inform the House of the progress on the inquiry so far. The Committees have held seven joint sittings where we met with the following witnesses: (1) The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation; (2) The Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and National Planning; (3) The Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; and, (4) The Cabinet Secretary for Coordination of National Government. During the same sitting, the Committee had to adjourn and allow some witnesses to step down and gather more information. These includes: The Cabinet Secretaries, the Kenya Revenue Authority Management, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards Management, among others. Similarly, the two Committees jointly made fact-finding and inspection visits to the Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa, Webuye, Nakuru and Nairobi between 26th and 27th with a view to establish details of the seizure of goods, commodities, sugar and consignments. During that visit, Members heard that samples had been taken to ascertain suitability of the sugar for human consumption. Therefore, the Committee needs to be allowed to have a little bit more time so that we can also get the results from those agencies. That is so that we can, at least, report on the same in this House. The Committee is also scheduled to meet with other stakeholders, including the Committees affected by the seizure, the Council of Governors, the Ministry of Transport, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Health and importers, among others. Finally, as you are aware, hon. members have been meeting daily since you referred the matter to the joint committee. You will all appreciate the gravity of the matters under deliberation. In this regard, the Committee requires ample time to consider the matter and make a comprehensive report with solid findings and recommendations so as to put this matter to rest. This is, therefore, to seek an extension of seven days with effect from 1st July 2018. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}