Uriri politician Omondi Gwonyo
By MN Reporter
Uriri politician Bernard Omondi Gwonyo has said a probe should be established on Agriculture CS Felix Koskei over his directive to open up importation of sugar in the country ahead of public millers privatization.
Speaking to Migori News, Gwonyo said the CS should be questioned by parliament over his announcement that imported sugar will cover for defict while millers can’t sell the produce over influx of illegal sugar.
“The announcement will send the already ailing sugar industry to its death bed by lowing the value of machineries before they are a sold at a throw away price,” Gwonyo said.
The politician said government is not realistic on his intention owing to the fact that the country’s sugar millers were recovering from losses following an influx in production of local sugar because of reduced demand of local sugar.
He warn the industry will not recover from Sh500million loan offered by the government recently through president Uhuru Kenyatta to pay farmers after going for up to six months without pay.
“It is only two months ago when President Uhuru Kenyatta came here with a cheque to rescue farmers who were suffering due to non-payment of dues by our local miller. How then can Koskei claim we have a shortage?,” he posed.
Speaking at the same function, Suna East politician Samuel Obrien said the country had enough sugar that was being produced for the national market and even for exports.
“By opening the market for cheap imports which had hurt farmers in the first place Koskei will take the cane farmers to where they were before they were rescued,” Obrien warned.
The two leaders said they will move to court to block Koskei’s directive anad called on national assembly committee on agriculture to probe him.
“Koskei’s move will legalise the illegal trade of sugar barons who have been making millions at the expense of farmers,” he said.
