Jubilee senators defend sugar deal

Jubilee senators have accused the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) of politicising the Uganda sugar deal to gain cheap publicity instead of offering solutions to problems facing the sector.

The senators claimed the Opposition was using the issue to regain support in the Western region following the recent inroads made by Jubilee there.

Led by Senate Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi, the leaders defended the Government over the controversial deal and accused CORD governors in Nyanza and Western of failing to address the problems facing sugar-cane farmers.

Elachi and nominated senators Martha Wangari, Joy Gwendo, Naisula Lesuuda and National Assembly members Kimani Ngunjiri and Mary Mbugua claimed CORD lacks the moral authority to lecture the Government on how to revive the sugar sector.

"CORD should empower their governors to revive the sugar sector in the Western region and desist from playing populist politics with such a critical issue," Gwendo said.

Elachi claimed the Opposition was politicising the sugar deal to divert public attention from the humiliation they suffered during the visit by US President Barack Obama.

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"I was part of the team that accompanied the President to Uganda and there was no deal signed on sugar importation. What we had was a proposal by businessmen. It is unfortunate the Opposition has hijacked the issue in a bid to make a comeback after they were humiliated by Obama," said Elachi

Wangari accused some CORD leaders of being behind the problems facing sugar-cane farmers by protecting cartels controlling the sector.

"The President should not waste time answering CORD. He should let us deal with them as he focuses on addressing the problems facing Kenyans," she said.

The leaders, who were speaking in Gilgil, Nakuru County, during a thanks-giving ceremony for Wangari, said there was urgent need to cater for the current sugar deficit.