Speaker Muturi suspends proceedings after debate on Kidero gets stormy

A proposal to bar Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero from public office sparked bitter exchanges in the National Assembly yesterday.

Debate on the report by the Agriculture committee, which investigated the sugar crisis at Mumias Sugar Company and the managers’ role, had been pending for a long time and the controversial amendment by Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali ignited fireworks.

Dr Kidero is a former managing director of the cash-strapped firm.

Speaker Justin Muturi suspended debate until this afternoon, after MPs clashed on the admissibility of

the amendment. They also want the governor surcharged Sh577 million over sugar exports.

A proposal to bar Nairobi's governor from holding public office over a sugar scandal sparked a storm in Parliament yesterday.

The proposed amendment to a report by a committee that investigated the Mumias Sugar Company woes triggered bitter exchanges in the National Assembly over its legality. This prompted Speaker Justin Muturi to suspend debate until this afternoon.

Mr Muturi's action came amid a sharp division on the admissibility of amendments targeting Dr Kidero over alleged financial impropriety while serving as Mumias Sugar Company's managing director.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Trouble started when Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali moved the amendment to the report by the Agriculture committee. Mr Washiali wanted Kidero barred from holding any public office and also surcharged Sh577 million that the Government allegedly lost in value added tax (VAT) from sugar imports during his tenure.

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo challenged the admissibility of the amendment, seeking a ruling from the speaker. He argued that singling out Kidero when the body of the report did not support his culpability would be unfair.

Mr Midiwo introduced another subject into the debate claiming that Washiali was a business dealer at Mumias, through a company that he claimed was registered under his personal assistant (PA). He argued that it was wrong for Washiali to be allowed to proceed with the amendments yet he was not declaring his interest.

Support allegations

"I want to prove that his motives, even as he pretends to fight for the sugarcane farmers, are not innocent. His PA is willing to swear an affidavit to show that the company is actually owned by Washiali," the Gem lawmaker said. To support his allegations, Midiwo produced payment vouchers from Mumias to the company, indicating Washiali was the beneficiary. But Washiali protested, insisting that he was not associated with the company.

"It is not difficult for this House to establish if I own the company, but the truth is that I do not own it and do not even know it," he said as he pleaded with fellow MPs to allow the amendments to be seconded by Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando.

"This House has the single opportunity to fight corruption and bring to book individuals who have brought down Mumias. It is time for Kenyans to see who will stand in the way of fighting corruption."

The legislator said it was during Kidero's tenure that there was financial impropriety and the Sh577 million in taxes was lost.

Under Kidero's watch, he said, trucks ferries loads of sugar above the prescribed 560 bags, with the excess bags secretly sold to benefit individuals.

"This scheme was hatched to give someone money. Mr Speaker, this person is none other than Dr Evans Kidero. This is the money that has made him what he is today and I want members to help me put this gentleman where he belongs," Washiali said. Majority Leader Aden Duale supported the admission of the amendment, saying it was only meant to recommend action against the specific person, under whose watch the ills were perpetrated.

"There is no doubt that during the time under review, from 2003 to 2012, the managing director of Mumias was one Dr Evans Odhiambo Kidero. This must be the time for Parliament to rescue the about six million Kenyans whose lives are now at stake and whose factories are collapsing," said Mr Duale.

But Minority Leader Francis Nyenze claimed that Washiali's recommendation was only meant to advance a political cause.

"The politics at play is that if the amendment passes then Kidero is held responsible and is not allowed to hold any public office. That way he will be out of the race for the Nairobi gubernatorial position. We should not allow this ploy," said Mr Nyenze.

Washiali also fought off allegations by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma that he owned a clearing and forwarding company that had been contracted by Mumias Sugar Company. The lawmaker challenged Mr Kaluma to substantiate the claim today, saying that while he had such a company, he had never done business with the sugar miller. Muturi will today rule on whether or not the proposed amendment would be admitted to pave way for debate.

"I would have given the ruling on Tuesday but this matter of sweet things is very destructive," he said.

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