Why western Kenya MPs snubbed President Uhuru’s ‘sugar’ invitation

MPs in the Western Kenya Parliamentary Caucus yesterday “politely” declined to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss a trade agreement with Uganda on sugar imports.

Scanty details on the deal, fear of being branded sellouts by their constituents and the perception that Government was dividing the Opposition was attributed to the snub. Invitations for the State House meeting were issued through National Assembly Deputy Chief Whip and Mumias East MP Ben Washiali. When asked if the Head of State personally called him, Washiali replied "there is only one tenant at State House".

Western Parliamentary caucus led by Budalangi Mp Ababu Namwamba addressing the press on the importation of sugar from Uganda and how its likely to kill the industry in the country.He is flanked by the chairman Sakwa Bunyasi. (PHOTO: TABITHA OTWORI/ STANDARD)

Efforts to get a response from State House on details of the meetings were unsuccessful. Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu did not respond to our calls and text messages.

The lawmakers also said the invitation was not inclusive as leaders from the Coast and Nyanza regions were not invited. According to the chairperson of the caucus, Nambale MP Sakwa Bunyasi, they also needed to get details of the agreement before visiting State House.

"We wanted to look at the deal, take a stand as leaders from western region and then meet the President," said Mr Bunyasi during a press conference at Parliament Buildings yesterday.

Bunyasi also said the question of sugar goes beyond western Kenya stretching to the Nyanza and Coastal sugar belts. MPs Ababu Namwamba (Budalang'i), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Suleiman Murunga (Kimilili), Michael Aringo (Butula), Anami Lisamula (Shinyalu), Reginalda Wanyonyi (Bungoma Woman Representative), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Malulu Injendi (Malava) accompanied Bunyasi.

Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba said their stand on the sugar deal had nothing to do with politics but the welfare of their people.

"This is not about politics but the welfare of the people of western Kenya, who are cane farmers. It should be clear that we (the caucus) have never declared our support for either Jubilee or CORD coalitions," said Mr Namwamba.

They urged President Kenyatta to help revive the sugar industry by ensuring no cheap sugar finds its way into the country and ensuring all factories in the region get back on their feet.

The Opposition, on the other hand, threatened to take unspecified action if President Kenyatta does not rescind his deal with Uganda.

"The warehouses of Kenyan sugar industries are full because the market is flooded by sugar smuggled from Kismayu and Brazil. Jubilee must be patriotic enough," said CORD leader Raila Odinga.

Full disclosure

The former premier questioned why the Government was quick to give Rivatex and Kenya Airways grants of Sh700 million and Sh4.2 billion respectively yet it gave the ailing Mumias Sugar Company a Sh1 billion loan.

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi said reports of the trade deal are disheartening. "The excuse to balance trade between our sister countries should not be used to enter into pacts that undermine local production. It amounts to placing a ransom on citizens for the benefit of external friends. It is in bad taste," he said.

In a statement, Mudavadi said Uhuru owes Kenyans full disclosure of the details of the reported agreement.

Raila, speaking at a press conference at his office in Nairobi after meeting MPs from the sugar belt, attacked the Jubilee administration for criticising CORD for numerous failures when it was part of the Grand Coalition government.

"Almost three-quarters of those in Jubilee government were also in the Grand Coalition. President Kenyatta was the Finance minister and his deputy William Ruto was Agriculture minister. They should shoulder blame and progress in equal measure," said Raila.

CORD co-principal and Senate Minority leader Moses Wetang'ula (Bungoma) challenged Uhuru to come clean on the sugar importation deal. Mr Wetang'ula claimed the Government entered a dubious deal "where figures are being thrown around about Uganda having surplus sugar from local produce".

"The agenda is very clear: secure a safe market for a Kenyan family dairy consortium regardless of how much it harms the ordinary poor sugar farmer in all sugar belts across the country," Wetang'ula told The Standard.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who read CORD's statement, said the deal allowing Uganda to sell its sugar in Kenya is at odds with the desires and aspirations of Kenyans.

"Instead of protecting the families and jobs in counties where sugar is grown, this agreement will lead to the total destruction of the Kenyan sugar industry," said Mr Khalwale.

Make losses

The Opposition said it was worried about the impact of the deal on Mumias Sugar, Nzoia, West Kenya and Butali sugar companies in the region, Ramisi Sugar Company in Kwale, Sony in Migori, Transmara in Narok, Muhoroni, Chemelil and Kibos Sugar in Kisumu and Sukari Industries in Homa Bay County.

"Mature cane is either rotting on farms or farmers have not been paid for their cane because the factories are making losses. The factories are making losses because cheap imported sugar has filled the warehouses and flooded the market," said Khalwale.

Also present at CORD's press conference were Senator Moses Kajwang' (Homa Bay), MPs Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Otieno Koyoo (Muhoroni), Jared Kopiyo (Awendo), James Nyikal (Seme) and Woman Representatives Rose Nyamunga (Kisumu) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) among others.

Namwamba said they were aware that Kenyan sugar companies have lots of sugar in stores, which has made it difficult for any more cane to be collected from the fields.