NAIROBI: Most of the sugar in shops is smuggled in through the Port of Kismayo by KDF soldiers, Cord leader Raila Odinga now claims. Raila said the stores are “bursting at the seams” with unsold sugar as illegal products have found their way into the market.
“If you go to the supermarket, you will find sugar in Tuskys or Uchumi packets. Since when did supermarket become millers?” he posed. He spoke in Voi on Friday, during the launch of the DATU Sawazisha Fund; a county fund aimed at enabling young entrepreneurs acquire affordable loans for development.
Some residents criticised Raila’s stance on sugar branding saying it is not illegal. Shopkeeper Alexander Mbonje said he buys a sack of sugar and repackages it in smaller quantities for his clients.
“If I had enough money, I would package sugar in small quantities in packets that bear the name of my shop. That is smart marketing,” he said. Raila said the opposition will not allow the importation of sugar to protect more that six million cane farmers.
He underlined that the new sugar deal with Uganda spells dooms for millers and warned that cheap products would flood the market. He further reiterated that Uganda has no surplus sugar to export to Kenya, saying the country consumes all it produces.
Regarding debate on 28 bills before an August 27 deadline, Raila said the opposition will only consider supporting an extension of the period if it is limited to six months. Demanding a meeting with the government, he further pegged support on the outcome of negotiations with the opposition.
“The government must sit down with the opposition and agree on the extension period required to pass the pending Bills. As Cord, we are not accepting any suggestion that extends six months,” he said.
The Community Land Bill is being resisted by powerful government forces, “constantly interfering with the working of National Land Commission”, he claimed. Raila warned that any citizen can move to court and call for the dissolution of parliament should the deadline lapse.
But Article 261 of the constitutions gives MPs powers to extend the period through a resolution, provided it is supported by two thirds of them. Raila was accompanied by Governor John Mruttu and MPs Thomas Mwadeghu (Wundanyi), Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) and Jones Mlolwa (Voi).
The sugar deal has elicited criticism between the government and the opposition, which has asked for the publication of its details. The government has dismissed Cord’s concerns saying Kenya has been importing sugar for years to meet deficits.
On Wednesday, Uhuru defended the move saying; “Let us work to strengthen our own in this region”. He noted that Kenya exports to Uganda currently stand at Sh70 billion ($700m) and Uganda’s at Sh15 billion ($150 million).
