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{
    "id": 86593,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/86593/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 415,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kathuri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 38,
        "legal_name": "Emilio Mureithi Kathuri",
        "slug": "emilio-kathuri"
    },
    "content": "I would also want to propose the following to the Minister. As we talk, many of them are going the energy way. They are trying to generate energy so that they can cut cost on their production. It is a good move. But there is fear from the farmers that, that may be a conduit to siphon money. It may not be a well thought out idea and yet, it is a very noble idea. I would like to see how the Bill will address those issues. When KTDA, which is a very important body - and it should be supported for its survival – goes ahead to propose to farmers to approve a project of that magnitude, which has not been well thought out--- The Chief Executive Officer and top management of the KTDA should be put to task. They should be held responsible if they generate electricity and end up making losses; they should all receive a sack. The Bill should be very clear on that, so that we ensure that the farmer is well taken care of. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are quite a number of issues but I would want to say that this Bill is very welcome. I wish the Minister could harmonize those issues which we think are quite significant. We will then be able to move and pass it, so that we can see our farmers at least celebrating a better income. As we talk, the income looks good on the face it, but the farmer can do better. It is a question of comparison. We are trying to compare tea with coffee and with what the farmer was earning previously. But all that income is still below average. I wish there was a way that this Bill could be done so that it addresses the farmers plight totally and squarely. At the end of the day, the farmer should go home celebrating that he or she has a good income. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also worth noting that considering that the KTDA is a national organization, we must address issues in this Bill, where we think that people take advantage of their status when dealing with the activities of farmers. Sometimes they even go ahead and attach a farmer’s income because of a loan that was guaranteed through a SACCO. At times, they even go out of their mandate by attaching a wife’s income. I have witnessed such cases and at times they are very embarrassing. They only reverse their decision after a farmer seeks a court injunction, and makes a lot of noise at the KTDA headquarters. We should ensure that when such issues arise--- This Bill should put the KTDA on the firing line, so that they do not take advantage of the fact that they hold farmers’ money; they should not be in a position to chop off an income when legally they are not entitled to do that. I believe all this should be covered in this Bill, so that farmers can be going home happy. With those remarks, I support."
}