Chrysanthus Barnabas Okemo

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 151 to 160 of 559.

• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Therefore, I would like to suggest that we look actively for private investors to come and invest in the sugar sector. The privatization as proposed by the Government is a good idea, but again, it must be done in a very careful manner in order to make sure that the farmers get some shareholding in these private sugar factories. If you merely leave it to outside forces or to investors just to come and own 100 per cent, the farmer will not get the full benefit of his sweat. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I proceed, I want to ... view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you can see that that the thing is elastic. It is moving and moving, but I hope that before the end of June, we should really have looked at the recommendations. This is because every day that passes, the farmer continues to suffer. Particularly the sugarcane farmer, is the most unfortunate farmer in Kenya. All the taxes are lumped on him. Spillage from his farm to the weighbridge is also lumped onto him. Delays in payments also go to him. When he gets fertilizer, interest is charged and yet, when he gets paid late, he ... view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the question of weighing of the cane is an issue that we have raised in the past. The Act as it stands today says that cane will be weighed at the farm gate. They also say that payment is on the basis of sucrose content and both things are not happening. So, neither does the farmer's cane get weighed at the view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: farm gate nor does this sugar-cane get paid on the basis of the sucrose content. So, the farmer is left completely at the mercy of the miller. The question of manipulation of the weights at the weighbridges is a big issue. It is an issue that should not be understated. Either they manipulate the weighing equipment or they merely steal and put weights there that favour the milling company. To me, the temporary solution that should be put in place is that there must be a farmers’ representative who should physically be at the weighbridge wherever that weighbridge might be, ... view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Yes, I accept. view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Thank you very much. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the loans that are available to sugarcane farmers by the Kenya Sugar Board, we do not see why these loans should go through an intermediary. We would like these loans to come directly from the Kenya Sugar Board to the farmers and at concessionary interest rates. This is because when they go through another intermediary, then the rates that they charge for the loans are very view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: high. But if they went directly, then the farmer will enjoy those concessional interest rates. view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister for Agriculture is here. Please, take note because we are very bitter people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am from the Busia sugar growing region and the question of a factory for refining of sugar has been on the drawing board since 1970s. The Government and the Ministry of Agriculture frankly have not been supportive. This is because Mumias Sugar Company wants to continue enjoying sugar from Busia sugar region, instead of growing their own sugar-cane. They, therefore, say “if we put up a factory in Busia, Mumias Sugar Factory ... view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it would have been very nice to inform the sitting Member of Parliament for the area of such an important discovery. But it is good news. Let me tell you that for that to happen, you do not need a Minister or Member of Parliament. You must have the support of the Head of State or the position of Prime Minister, because this is a very complicated matter. So, I am glad, Mr. Prime Minister, that this is news that is going to be very sweet to the people of Busia, and particularly the people ... view
• 18 May 2011 in National Assembly: President Kibaki came to Busia when hon. Moody Awori was the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs and he promised our people that the factory will be built. The Prime Minister is now saying the same thing here. It is good because now this is being televised. I hope that this time round, it will be established because it has been a big issue and we all know it. The Prime Minister knows--- view