Wait till sugar deal is public, Opposition told

The sugar deal signed between Kenya and Uganda continued to generate debate in Western region.

Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, politician Stanley Livondo and Namamali Ward Representative Kelvin Olengo asked those opposed to the deal to wait until it is made public before making known their opinions.

They said Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was hired by the Opposition to peddle lies in the region to gain political mileage.

"The Opposition is afraid because in the recent past, Jubilee has heightened its development agenda in the region and because sugarcane is the backbone of the region's economy, they want to use it as a political tool. People should desist from politicising the sugar deal. People know what they want and it is development," said Mr Shinali.

The lawmaker said he will never support any move by the Government to cripple the economy of Western region and vowed to table a motion in the National Assembly to compel the Government to revoke the pact if it will open the floodgates for importation of cheap sugar.

Mr Livondo said importation of cheap sugar did not start during the Jubilee regime and asked Opposition leader Raila Odinga to tell cane farmers what he did to stop the vice when was in Government. Mr Olengo said the Government should protect millers by licensing them to import sugar directly from Uganda rather than give freeway to business people.