ODM announces rallies to mobilise farmers against Uganda sugar deal

Part of the ODM members during a retreat at Machakos 17/08/15 PHOTO BY MOSES OMUSULA

Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement will turn to public rallies to keep up pressure on the Jubilee government on the contentious trade deal with Uganda.

The party has also challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to declare their interest in the milk and meat export deal that will allow Ugandan sugar into the country.

The Jubilee government has in the past week been criticised by leaders from sugar-growing areas who claim the deal will kill local millers.

In what they described as a show of solidarity with farmers in the region, the Opposition is planning rallies in Awendo tomorrow. This will be followed by rallies in Bungoma and Busia on Thursday and Kakamega on Friday.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has piled pressure on the Jubilee government by announcing rallies in sugar-growing regions to mobilise farmers against the controversial trade deal with Uganda.

The party has also challenged Jubilee leaders to declare their interest in the milk and meat export deals that Kenya secured in exchange for cheap sugar from Uganda.

The Opposition said they will pitch tent in Awendo, Migori County tomorrow then proceed to Bungoma and Busia on Thursday and Kakamega on Friday to meet farmers.

They will then head to other sugarcane growing regions including Muhoroni, Kibos, Chemelil in Kisumu County, parts of Rift-Valley, Narok and Kwale.

"Beginning tomorrow, we will move to the ground in Western, Nyanza and Coast and all other sugarcane-growing zones to stand in solidarity with the farmers," said ODM's Deputy Chairman Paul Otuoma, who read the party's statement at the end of a two-day retreat at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has in the meantime denied claims that his company owed Mumias Sugar some money. He instead alleged that Deputy President William Ruto issued licences to importers during his tenure as Minister for Agriculture under the Grand Coalition government.

"Ruto was the Minister for Agriculture and was responsible for the licences. He should not divert our attention. What we want is the sugar deal," said Raila, demanding that the Government must make public the trade deals entered during President Uhuru Kenyatta's recent visit to Uganda.

Raila said Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei was suspended because of claims of issuing licences to importers. The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission has since cleared Koskei of allegations into the irregular award of permits to import sugar.

"If there are people in the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) who are corrupt, why can't he (Ruto) mention them by name. The claim that I owe Mumias some debt does not hold water. If it is a commercial debt, it is a commercial debt. Jubilee government must come out clean on the sugar deal," Raila added.

The Jubilee government has in the past week been criticised by leaders from sugar-growing areas, who have said the sugar deal will kill local millers. ODM demanded that the Government flushes out all cheap illegal sugar imports being held in various depots and stores across the country.

 ILLEGAL BREWS

"The Government must rid Kenya of illegal sugar in the same way it acted on the second-generation liquor," read part of the statement.

Raila challenged the Jubilee government to make public the transaction of the sugar-import deal, adding that the Opposition will not relent in demanding accountability and transparency.

"Every time we unearth corruption, that's when Jubilee also points an accusing finger that so and so is also corrupt. Two wrongs do not make a right. What we are dealing with now is the pact signed to allow Uganda to export sugar," said the Opposition leader.

The CORD leader maintained that the Opposition will not support the extension of timelines of constitutional bills once debate is brought to the floor of the House.

The party also resolved it would not support the Constitutional Amendment Bill to change the elections date from August to December in 2017.

Raila questioned why the Government has failed to implement the Constitution, only waiting until the last minute to extend the deadlines. He said they cannot support the Government's failure by denying the people the right to have the requisite laws in place.

"We don't want an extension for the constitutional bills. We don't want unilateral decisions without consulting major stakeholders and we are major stakeholders in this. We will not assist them to deny the people their right," he said.