Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 741 to 750 of 980.

• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to make it extremely clear. Maize farmers are not any privileged than other farmers in the country. When we say that the market is liberalized, the Government is usually the buyer of the last resort. Under normal circumstances, in the business of planting maize, you are the person who is charged with the responsibility to know where you will sell your produce. The Government, however, through the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR), normally stocks maize for any eventuality. The Government is in the process of mopping up the maize which is available in the ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not in the process of misleading this House. However, let us accept reality. The Government is in the process of stocking the SGR to the tune of eight million bags as a result of buying from the farmers. As at now, we have set aside Kshs500 million to start this process. Let the maize farmers not over- rely that the Government has the responsibility to mop up the entire maize in the market. They are business people like any other farmer we have in the country. They are not special or unique in any ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government is assessing the situation. Once we are able to get enough stock--- We are really pushing the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance to allocate the Ministry in charge of special programmes enough funds so that we can achieve our stock of eight million bags. If we achieve that, we can then allow the export of maize to the rest of the world. We have come up with the warehousing receipt system so that we can mop up the maize in the country. We are now able to know how ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, so far we have more than 3 million bags of maize in the SGR. We are talking about the warehousing receipt system so that farmers can bring their excess maize for warehousing facilities offered by the Government. As at now, unless we do the census of maize in our farmers’ backyard, we will not be able to tell the amount of maize in the country. We are quite satisfied that we have enough stock. The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Special Programmes is looking for funds from the Treasury so that we can mop whatever ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, so far, there is an export ban. The farmers are not allowed to export maize as at now. We are in the process of taking our stocks so that we can know the amount of maize we have. From there, we will make a decision as Government, to start exporting maize. view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am an economist and I know the meaning of liberalization. It is where the forces of demand and supply determine the prices in the market. Our bone of contention with the hon. Members is the current prices which the Government is offering of Kshs1,500. When it comes to exports, first of all, we are in consultation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance, so that they can give us adequate funds to mop up whatever mess is in the market. Once we are able to achieve the Strategic Grain Reserve ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, it is true. During the time of maize shortage, we allowed farmers and other people to bring in maize from anywhere within or outside the country as long as they paid duty. Initially, it was being brought duty-free, but from January this year, we said that whoever will bring maize into the country must pay duty. But, unfortunately, because as a Government, we have not achieved our SGR stocks, we were unable to lift the ban on exports. We are assessing the situation and I want to promise this august House that within the next ... view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have not heard the hon. Member clearly. I would like to request him to repeat the question. view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, duty is payable on any maize which is brought into the country. view
• 13 Oct 2010 in National Assembly: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government is not in the process of considering any compensation for any losses whatsoever but from now on, the Government is offering warehousing so that farmers can take their maize for drying and other facilities we have in our silos. view