Halt State sugar firms lease, say senators
Worker go about their business at Chemelil Sugar Company on September 28, 2018.
What you need to know:
- They noted as malicious that the process is being conducted in secrecy while sidelining critical stakeholders.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture has called on the government to suspend leasing of five State-owned sugar mills to give stakeholders an opportunity to participate in the process.
They noted as malicious that the process is being conducted in secrecy while sidelining critical stakeholders.
Speaking after holding a meeting with farmers at Chemelil, the session chaired by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, said the planned leasing is being carried out irregularly and without adhering to constitutional provisions.
“Unlike the initial proposal to privatise sugar mills, Privatisation Commission involved farmers in every step of the process. Why is the Ministry in a hurry to lease if not for clandestine reasons?” posed Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’.
He said it is insincere for Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya to ask Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to spearhead the initiative when he raised concerns that the body is not properly constituted.
The CS last month indicated that the ministry has kicked off the process of disbanding the agriculture sector regulator for failing to deliver on its mandate in order to revert it to the previous independent bodies.
