CORD to hold rallies in Western over Kenya-Uganda sugar deal

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) will meet cane farmers and other stakeholders in Busia County Friday to shed more light on the Kenya-Uganda sugar deal.

The Opposition will also be seeking farmers' support on the plans to revoke the deal that aims to derail the revival of industries in western region.

Suba MP John Mbadi said the Opposition will engage cane farmers to help them understand how the deal will affect them negatively and on how they plan to revoke it.

"It must be noted that, we shall not leave it there. The agreement must be revoked and we shall use other avenues enshrined in our Constitution," Mr Mbadi said.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has opposed the deal, saying the move is aimed at killing the economy of western and Nyanza regions where residents rely heavily on cane farming for their livelihoods.

The Opposition will start their rally at Busia Polytechnic Grounds at 10am and later tour Chemelil, Muhoroni and Nandi. Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba said: "Residents in sugarcane growing areas have been betrayed by a process that is not genuine. Politicians should seek solutions and stop playing cheap politics with sugar matters. Farmers have suffered for long."

Mbadi said the Government has failed to protect the sugar industry, adding that the trade deal gives approval for sugar baron to continue importing cheap sugar, denying farmers market and profit. Sirisia MP John Waluke said the coalition is yet to officially inform members of the rallies.