CRIME IN BUNGOMA AND ACTION BY LEADERS

LUKE KAPCHANGA

CONCERN.

The Bungoma county leaders meeting at Mabanga on 5/7/2013 on security situation, poved one thing in common that the government is doing its business basing on 1970 tactics.

County commissioner Maalim Mohammed who was the key speaker had very poorly hand written notes from which he took the participants through.

The monologue meeting saw the Commissioner saying about 14 suspected criminals linked to the recent Bungoma killings, having been arrested and appeared in court.

He claimed that the gangsters were operating as a racket , and appealed to members of the public not to turn to mob justice.

He added something to the effect that police found colluding with criminals to be punished and also police to respond promptly when alarm is raised.

As a human rights defender , the Killings in Bungoma in April was a violation of both the International Human rights law and International Humanitarian Law.

Hence the State is held accountable to the well being of the affected families and victims nursing injuries.

So the intent and purpose of such a meeting should have first and foremost, included the victims of the widespread systematic attack.

This people should have highlighted the effectiveness of policing in the county since they came under attack, and any assistance availed them by the government.

Unfortunately, the organizer preferred to bring agendas when the meeting was in progress , the agenda had no time frame for each item to last.

This was worse than, a village CBO, organizing a meeting for teenage mothers or a village elders baraza.

Kindly, the commissioner should be told that the meeting need to have been about investigations, leading to reconstruction and interpreting the criminal behavior and patterns found at crime scene.

The material evidence recovered from crime scene, how it was going to help leaders in mapping out a strategy in combating it.

The chain of custody, detaining what was recovered, how suspected criminals were arested and evidence against them as they appear in court.

The state remains held responsible for the killings committed by non-state actors, if it fails to act with due diligence to prevent , deter and punish perpetrators of the crimes, under the International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

Otherwise there is nothing frustrating as sitting through a meeting where people talk the whole time yet nothing is done.

Let the County Commisioner next time, tell the people of Bungoma since April how many people have been killed in a similar manner, those in hospital and those killed through mob justice.

A meeting which allows no room to listen, understand ans share ideas has difficult to make people be positive about its impact.

And the agenda without measurable action plans is not worthy taking place at this time of age.

So I hope those present may have enjoyed, being present and getting paid for sitting through, without informed participation.

GOVERNMENT TO COMPESATE FAMILIES OF BUNGOMA KILLINGS.

THE GOVERNMENT TO COMPESATE FAMILIES OF BUNGOMA KILINGS.

BY LUKE KAPCHANGA

BUNGOMA-KENYA

The blood of more than twenty people killed in Bungoma and Busia is on the hands of those in government.

The widespread and systematic killings , which took almost three weeks to be contained speak of one thing- government failure in preventing and detecting crime.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday May 16, while meeting top security chiefs pledged to support the police to enforce law and order.

The president was quoted, “ We will ensure police officers are sufficiently facilitated to enable them perform their duties effectively and in a dignified manner”.

While a week earlier, inspector general of Police David Kimaiyo promised a bounty of Kshs. 100,000 for information leading to the arrest of members of the gang terrorizing villagers.

Imagine shs. 100,000 for 17 deaths by attacks, 8 lynched by the mob and more than 100 nursing injuries in hospitals.

When one divides the amount of money promised to get information with the number of the victims, then you realize the value the government put on these Kenyans.

On his part the president never mentioned anything with the dead or the injured, as affected families lost more than one of the bread winner.

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights( UDHR), says everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of persons.

Mr. President, the families of the victims want an answer from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From a human rights angle, the basic function of the government is to maintain peace and security within its boarders.

Article 245 of the constitution establishes the National police force whose overall command is exercised by the inspector general.

Police are one of the means by which government fulfills this function as law enforcement is significant organ of government.

Another basic function of government is to ensure that it meets its obligation under International Law to promote and protect the human rights of the people within its jurisdiction.

In policing, the promotion and protection of human rights requires close attention to be paid to detail aspects of command, management and administration of the police.

Police are accountable to government and the public they serve and policing activities are subject to judicial and legal supervision.

Fundamental principles in policing are respect for, and obedience to the law, respect for inherent dignity of human person, which is respect for human rights.

Essential principles are that law enforcement officials shall at all times fulfill the duty imposed on them by law, by serving the community and protecting against illegal acts, consistent with high degree of responsibility.

The United Nations , General Assembly resolution 34/164 of 17 December 1979 on the code of conduct for law enforcement officials adopted , “ Every law enforcement agency should be representative of and responsive and accountable to the community as a whole”.

The code of conduct demands that police are to be commended and managed in accordance with the principle of responsibility.

Hence they are to be held personally responsible under law for their own acts or omissions, as their function is to prevent and detect crimes.

Police leadership is not a desk job, a commander is to be in close contact with the realties of operational policing, the feelings and concerns of the community they serve and those they command.

There is also an established and enforced strict guidelines for record keeping and reporting on the activities of the community they serve.

With the Bungoma killings, the gangs entered homes singing claiming to have apprehended thieves, only to turn against people with sharp objects.

The attackers were said operated in groups of 10 to 15, armed with axes, machetes, spears and other crude weapons.

Take the case of Bungoma Business man Timothy Nyongesa who was killed early evening , in a 30 minute raid at his home which is almost a kilo metre away from the regional police headquarters.

The government has to give answers to the close family relatives of those killed by the gangsters or maimed and nursing injuries.

Because the government in under obligation, in International Human rights Law not only to refrain from violating individuals right to life but they also have a positive obligation to protect the enjoyment of that right.

As non- state actors engage in a pattern of killings and the state responds inadequately , the responsibility of the state is engaged.

The deputy president William Ruto was in Bungoma and then later in Mandera, pronouncements made by him points to one direction- inadequate response by the police in contain the violence.

Frenchman Jean Bodin once said that in a democracy, there is always chronic disorder with less real liberty.

Are Kenyans to be made to believe that without directives from the deputy president, police reinforcement can not be done , more vehicles can not be dispatched to crime prone areas and reporting mechanism can not be perfect .

The killings in Bungoma carry the hole marks for crimes against humanity.

Article 7 (1)(a) of the Rome Statute on crimes against humanity of murder, the elements of the crime are that the perpetrator killed one or more persons, the attack was widespread or systematic against a civilian population.

In Bungoma and Busia we have got 17 innocent lives lost senselessly, in a widespread and systematic pattern against a civilian population.

We have seen politicians engage in blame game, name calling, and making demands for transfer of the police who have overstayed .

The political statements and police calling on the public to provide information , is not part of giving the answers needed by relatives of the victims to know the cause of the death or suffering of those in hospital.

Material evidence by police investigators should help to reconstruct and correctly interpret the evnts of the crimes.

By thoroughly documenting and recurrences, investigators have the ability to establish the evidence which reflects a pattern of intentional behavior.

So far, the type of observations gathered can help in reconstructing the events of the crimes to link suspects to the criminal acts.

The effectiveness of county government

Sun, Oct 23, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Oct 23, 2011

 

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FAILURE

BY  LUKE KAPCHANGA

Residents of Bungoma county should start asking themselves if the county government will be effective?

History shows that government initiated projects in the county collapse basically on poor management in collusion with political machinations.

As the country gears itself for the implementation of the constitution, by introducing a devolved system of government, what is being peddled around is about who to hold which position only.

The basis for declaring interest for this positions is attached on account of having served in government through appointment in one way or the other.

And Bungoma is no exception , with county political elites lining  up those they can work with through  alliances with very narrow interests strategizing  on getting hold of power in the new political dispensation.

If the concern for effective governance is not addressed now, then the county may be among those to be the first to experience National government intervention.

The constitution in article 190(4b), authorizes the national government , if necessary , to assume the responsibility for relevant functions.

Why should this be?

Brief history of Bungoma can shade some light – the trend of development right from independence .

Its widely acknowledged  that the first African to hold the current equivalent of Bungoma county council chairman, Pascal Nabwana  put in place  structures  for development which remain unrivalled .

Being a selfless leader he hold the post from 1959 – 1963, was the brain behind the Bukusu welfare association which  was the vehicle through which the late veteran politician Masinde Muliro got his education..

He marshaled the community to get its own district from North Kavirondo, Bungoma had a vibrant cooperative movement , putting it on the Kenyan map for economic and educational sector.

With independence and Nabwan out of the way, the political leadership started dismantling everything he stood for, and poverty became a permanent feature .

It was Masined Muliro, who destroyed the Welfare association, which apart from playing a pivotal role for his education , and a vehicle for development and in its place espoused the Luyia unity.

With that very action, community members were almost criminalized  while coming up with development initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation..

On their part, the political elites developed a systemic agenda of mass scale poverty creation, by ensuring that institutions of employment and job creation collapse.

When, the Late Elijah Wasike Mwangale, trod the political scene like a colossus, the economic fortunes of the region sunk deeper.

The advent of multi- party had a foothold in Bungoma for a very simple reason, the residents were told and believed that, their suffering was because of poor leadership, then with the stewardship of Mwangale.

With Bungoma enjoying fanaticall support of the then opposition against KANU, new breed of leaders amongst them Musikari Kombo and Mukhisa Kituyi , got the chance as representatives.

With time, the two had the privilege of getting cabinet appointments, and true to the politics of Bungoma they too became strangers to the people they were supposed to represent , and any effort to change  economic dynamics remained elusive.

Poverty in Bungoma gained momentum during the days of Ford-Kenya enjoying political supremacy   and the district had the distinction as a Millennium district.

Which meant that the proportion of poverty was very high, and it required to be used as a trail centre ,every time the Millennium Development Goals are carried out.

Finding it self  in the Millennium category has not embarrassed the leadership, when all civil society movements across the country find the excuse  to hold a workshop of sorts there.

This brings me to getting worried why the National government will have reason to intervene in the Bungoma county government in relation to its functions and powers.

When you analyze the functions and powers of the county government in agriculture, control of pollution, trade development and regulations, and ensuring and coordinating participation in governance , you get scared, with the people jostling for the positions.

On agriculture , the sector accounts for almost 90% of the poverty being felt in Bungoma, yet it has all the potential to be the engine of growth.

The cooperative movement, Malakisi ginnery,, Kitinda dairy,Nzoia sugar company, have all had the strong involvement  of political leaders while management was almost entirely in the hands of daughters and sons of the county.

The same institutions have created a perfect environment for the spiraling suffering of the residents making them “begging farmers” .

This is so, because the elected leaders , develop a tendency of political tourist , and have no economic attachment to understand the suffering of  the people , what they go through, and the possible solution.

Take the case of Nzoia with a debt portfolio of shs.26 billion, against asset value of shs.8billion, is insolvent, yet management top brass is composed of sons of the county.

Nzoia is the only sugar factory under paying farmers for delivered crop at shs.3,300 per ton, while other millers are paying above shs.3,800, and the political class has not raised any finger.

Overall, corruption at the mill is at all times high, and there is no department , where outright theft is absent, creating more suffering for the farmers.

On pollution, before the closure of Pan African Paper mills, residents – without any support of political leadership sought the intervention of International Finance Cooperation- who were one of the big lenders to come to  their rescue on pollution related concerns.

For years, the political class were in the good books of the company executives, when residents of mainly Webuye, bore the impact of pollution related effects, without recourse.

With trade, it remains a laughable affair, as no local owns a business employing more than 5 people who are from outside the county .

All meaningful businesses are run successfully by what locals call outsiders, and the elites from the community find it very difficult to spot an investment opportunity.

The only  majority businesses  run by local  are investment in the hotel industry- yet the popular menu is alcohol .

The category of the hotels caters mostly for local tastes, as it can not compare with the set standards, when you take remarks by cooperative minister Joseph Nyagah, who said that Bungoma has no hotel he could sleep in.

The very same elites, do not know other promising opportunities, and hence do not know who is investing where, the returns and likely impact  on the economy- this spells a disaster if they are given the mandate of running the show of development.

The best case study for this purpose is the CDF, the infrastructure in general are billed not to last at most not more than ten years, yet they are the yard stick of development for most of the serving politicians in their respective constituencies.

The political elites in Bungoma are scared of the people to be involved in governance and are happy to have the monopoly of ideas to gives directives without contradictions.

And this same people can not be entrusted with  ensuring and coordinating the participation of communities for participation in governance at the local level.

The take the case were everyone who is everybody somewhere, declaring the need to contest which seat, is a clear indicator that poverty alleviation is not part of the agenda.

The forums, which these very leaders use to declare their interests, the discussions are about the revival of collapsed industries- manifesting closed thinking and lack of innovations in their style of leadership.

The leadership therefore, is about wanting to share posts, and quietly retread to the safety of  Nairobi, and occasionally make technical appearance in functions and funerals to fulfill their egos.

Bungoma county economy is SME solution

BUNGOMA COUNTY ECONOMY

The issue of Bungoma county economy seem not generating serious debate apart from the revival of Pan paper, restructuring of Nzoia sugar company, and the possibility of Kitinda.

The people who want to policy makers of the county when you closely go through what they have sounds as if the 1970 and 1980 economic blue prints.

Most of this blue prints advanced by the government failed, so our leaders to generalize about creating industries for our people is misleading.

These leaders have to understand something to do with the aspects of Global Value Chains(GVCs).

GVC is a chain of activities which can be divided among mulitple firms in different geographical locations to bring out a product or a service from conception to complete production and delivery to final consumers.

Participation in GVCs gives Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the opportunity to attain financial stability, increase productivity and expand markets.

Thus in simple understanding is that GVC allows SMEs to participate in the global economy.

The problem is that policy makers may not be supportive to SME s to enhance their role in the global economy.

WE have to make policy makers in the county to focus on facilitating the SME entry to GVC.

Research shows that in the globalized economy, competitive advantages can be created in any sector.

So they have to understand opportunities both mature and emerging sectors that offer SMEs the potential to integrate into GVCs.

We need to assess the concentration and interest the leaders exhibit in fostering skills development, dynamics and innovation of SMEs, to propel them meet International standards.

So are our leaders prepared in working on SMEs promotion and export promotion activities in order to adapt them to new realities?

Bungoma county economy

Christ  Jesus said you shall know  the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR), article 19 states;
everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression .
UDHR further in article 29 states that everyone has duties to the
community in which he belongs.
The above statements guides us as the people of Bungoma county to look
critically at the contestants of various positions to know if they
will be accountable and responsible for the electorates.
The crop of leaders running for the post of governor are some how not
the usual players In the politics of Bungoma.
Yet , on the other hand, those eying the position of senators and the
very wheel dealers and movers , being at the centre stage of our
county affairs.
For the past twenty years what we have gone through bad or good is in
one way or the other attributable to them.
They have one common problem; Bungoma is a large prison of votes only
for them and to them development has to take place In Nairobi.
For background information , Bungoma has been classified as a
millennium district  due to high poverty rates, and has one of the
highest concentration of NGOs.
It was put in the very category, not long time ago, when these pride
men where making connections and creating wealth to themselves.
The wealthier they became , the poorer people in Bungoma became .
On economic development, incidentally since 2001- the African Growth
and Opportunity Act (AGOA), came into force opening up American
markets to African products.
Coincidentally, two of our prominent sons have been in charge of the
trade ministry for 7 years between them out of the 12 years AGOA has
been in existence.
From 2001 exports to the USA was 3 billion  US dollars rose up to 19
billion US dollars, of these exports none came from Bungoma.
The challenge was and remains urging Kenyans to take advantage of the
expansive US markets, which is thorough diversifying the range of
products mostly value addition of agricultural products.
Kenyas major exports to the US coffee, tea, fish cut flower, pyrethrum
none comes from our county.
But who said that we have no alternatives? Bungoma is able to produce
chicken, turkeys, eggs, millet, milk and dairy products, maize for
fats and vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, meat, tobacco  and wood
products.

Of these , more than 200,000 jobs can be created within a year,
whereby each person earns not less than 10,000 US dollars annually.
When translated into our economy, it could mean US dollars 2 billion,
putting a full stop to the common whining about delayed payments of
cane proceeds.
The beauty of it all is that our bright sons in government are so good
to see that even in Bungoma , we can make it happen.
Sugarcane growing has enslaved our people and the leadership seem
determined, to have the suffering in place to enable the electorates
go to their homes for hand outs.
 Having had the opportunity to serve the community as UDHR 29 SAYS,
then these contestants have to be evaluated closely and soberly.

Khaoya the Luyia elder and fate of death

BY  LUKE  KAPCHANGA& BERNARD KWALIA   DN/BUNGOMA      27/2/2008     KHAOYA

The  death of the Luyia elder Joseph Khaoya and his first wife , same night , while not bed ridden has  shocked the family, the community  and political fraternity.

With the country just coming from the post election violence which saw families lose spouses and children at one go, the death could not have been  peculiar.

What makes Mzee Khaoyas demise different is his position in society of the Luyia community at large and the active role he played while hosting the ODM leader Raila Odinga  some time last year.

The bold decision he took that of handing to Raila the spear and shield at Muliro gardens in Kakamega, was what provoked political observers in the region, particularly in Bungoma to wake up.

Mr. Lucas Watta, one of his closest persons  then described the decision as “ very bold and instrumental for the people”.

Mzee  Khaoya called on the Luyia and the Bukusu in particular to support Raila, saying the time predicted by the late prophet Elijah Masinde about Luyia leadership had come.

He insisted that the prediction by Masinde the legendary Dini Y a Msambwa leader about the the Luyia or Bukusu ascending to the country’s leadership through Lake Victoria was indeed now.

He urged, according to his close friends that if they supported Odinga for the presidency, and he in turn appointed Musalia Mudavadi as the vice president then chances, are that he will succeed him after serving his full time.

This argument is   what infuriated the Ford-K brigade in the district who saw Khaoya as a traitor.

The Ford-K leadership from the Bungoma countered by explaining at length , that the prophesy by  the late Masinde had already been fulfilled through the late vice president Kijana Wamalwa.

They reasoned that because Wamalwa deputized the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and later took over as the Ford-Kenya chairman then, the said leadership was achieved.

This sparked off , a series of debates as visits to the shrine of the late Masinde became a hot issue , with family supporting the ODM pentagon team to visit while Ford-K opposing.

Mr. Watta said that handing Raila the traditional instruments of  power, was to identify him as the emerging leader, and this was the expression of trust in him by the elders.

There was nothing wrong or improper in handing the shield and spear to the ODM leader, he added, because the elder was giving direction to the community to take politically.

It is the direction, which those opposed to him say may have contributed to his untimely death , together with the wife.    

Mr. Mulunda Khaoya one of the sons, who described the death as tragic said Mzee Khaoya was determined to have the Luyia community united.

“My father always talked of Luyia unity and by presenting the Shield and Spear to Odm Leader , was done on behalf of the community elders , who wanted the ODM pentagon team to have their blessings’, he said.

Kanduyi MP Mr. Alfred Khangati descried the late elder as a visionary and daring leader.

In his condolence massage,the ODM MP said the late Khaoya  was instrumental in introducing the party in Bungoma , which was considered the Ford-K stronghold.

Mr. Khangati said the his courage to present the Odm leader Raila Odinga with a shield and spear at Muliro garden in  Kakamega changed the politics of the area.

He praised the late elder for initiating meaningful development projects during his time as the MP and assistant minister, whose record has not been broken.

Mzee Khaoya is reputed to have been behind the construction and installation of Nzoia sugar factory, Sangolo Institute of Science &Technology, Mabanga Framers Trainig centre  and Bungoma prisons

The institutions remain the only meaningful developments in the greater Bungoma district  initiated during the Kenyatta administration .

However, history has it that he lost the 1974, elections to the late Dr. Fredrick Masinde when the prisons was built in Bungoma town.

The prisons was considered by the voters then as , an institution of torture and suffering for law offenders.

Mr. Khangati says, the Bukusu community  has lost a leader who had the personal initiative to defy popular believes to bring development or  unite them with other Kenyans.

Mr. Patrick Wangamati the founder chairman of the Bukusu council of Elders Asssociation,  on his side said the death of the elder together with the wife at the same time was a bad omen.

“As elders we  take  the simultaneous death of the couple suspiciously as it is rare and could be a bad omen,” he said.

Mr. Wangamati reminded the Bukusu to respect culture and their traditions , saying it is a taboo to introduce outsiders  to what holds them together.

He said as much as the dead are never blamed, but the late acted wrongly to take the ODM leaders to the shrines of the Dini Ya Msambwa leader Elijah Masinde against the wishes of the community.

This was rebuffed as misleading because traditionally couples who are very close normally die at the same time.

Mr. Muliro Kunikina an official of Trans- Nzoia branch, dismissed Mr. Wangamatis views as politically inclined and has no basis.

“All along when visits to the shrine of the late Masinde were arranged, Mzee Khaoys never personally got involved and he did not even accompany the Pentagon team as being claimed”, Mr. Kunikina added

The newly elected mayor of Bungoma Mr. Majimbo Okumu , said the loss is big for the Bukusu community , particularly when the country is at the cross roads politically.

“We were expecting to get advise and direction from such like elders, for the community not to be isolated politically”, Mr. Majimbo said.

Mzee Khaoya 77 and his wife Bethsheba 72 died on the night of 23, the man at Kenyetta national hospital while the wife at Mt.Elgon  view hospital in Bungoma town.

According to Mulunda their father traveled to Nairobi to see his personal doctor, Dr. Mac Gligeyo at Kenyatta National hospital  for routine medical check up on Wednesday last week .

Mulunda says it was him who drove the elder  to Kisumu where he boarded a plane alone, without any signs of serious sickness.

 Dr. Bulimo Khaoya , another of  his sons based in Kisii said the late Khaoya was in good spirits but the check up was normal as he was a diabetic.

As a family Dr. Bulimo explained they have an arrangement for Mzees regular medical check up to get proper treatment on time.

It was said that when he arrived at Kenyatta, his doctor recommended him for admission, and the conditions deteriorated with time.

They  said their mother  died at around 3.40 on Saturday  night  after developing  asthmatic attack.

They explained that the mother was sickly and died on arrival at the hospital.

The late Khaoya at one time served as a chief of the current day Bungoma South district before venturing in politics.

He was elected to parliament in 1966 and appointed assistant minister of agriculture in 1969.

He at time time also contested the Saboti   parliamentary seat , when the late vice president Kijana Wamalwa  opted not to run in 1989 after a petition against him.

He came to the limelight last year when he openly supported Mr.Odinga for the presidency, when his clansman Mr. Musikari Kombo the Ford-k chairman was supporting the president Kibakai.

Mr. Khaoya was the chairman of Balunda clan of which Kombo belongs, who bury the dead in a sitting position.

He is survived by 60 children and three wives Mary, Wilbroda and Florence .

Nzoia and farmers problems remain

BY   LUKE  KAPCHANGA  DN/BUNGOMA     5/3/2008   NZOIA

Problems affecting sugarcane farmers contracted to Nzoia factory seem to have refused to go away.

From around 1990, the complains about corruption, mismanagement , poor harvesting and delayed payments of farmers  dues, have kept on propping up every other time.

With close to 30,000 farmers in the greater Bungoma district, elective politics had always  revolved around the factory and its management.

The farmers suffering has played part in shaping up the politics of the area, as those elected usually tend to be on the side of farmers.

So, on Tuesday last week, they came in hundreds at Bukembe market, this time round to be told why burnt cane is being abandoned .

Hundreds of millions of shillings is feared could be going to waste , as the factory has refused to harvested burnt cane since the start of dry spells late last year.

They felt that the management was playing tricks with them, because as where as the nucleus estate cane , is set ablaze almost on daily basis, it is harvested immediately .

While as much as they try to plead, when a farmers cane has been accidentally burnt , management just turns a deaf ear.

During the meeting farmers, together with their leaders declared war to the board of directors over the refusal to harvest burnt cane.

Particularly on the spot was chairman of the board of directors Mr. Burudi Nabwera, who called upon to be dismissed.

Kanduyi MP Mr. Alfred Khangati said” Am declaring war on Nabwera to listen to farmers complains or he quits”.

The ODM MP, who described himself as a man of “stamina”, vowed not to give up until 

the issue of burnt cane is solved.

“Am a person of stamina, who should be taken seriously , and Nabwera has no point to be the chairman among the people he has no respect for”, he added.

This was followed by the resolution by Bungoma mayor, Henry Majimbo Okumu, demanding for the entire board of directors to be replaced.

The board, Mr. Okumu said has deliberately refused to harvest their cane, which is over mature and that burnt during the try spells.

But the managing director Mr. Francis Oyatsi stood his ground , saying burnt cane can not be harvested due to congested program.

He defended their policy on out grower burnt cane , insisting that when hundreds of tons of cane is burnt at once, the factory can not cope.

The MD attributed the failure by the factory to absorb standing mature cane to weather.

He pointed out that last year, cane from the swampy areas was not harvested  as the area never experienced try seasons between the months of December and March.

What is more threatening again even this time round is that, their projection is to harvest 300,000 tons of cane in five months.

Yet the worry is that they are expecting long rains in the next two months, so this means most of the cane in swamps will be left to rot.

The solution to harvesting lies in the factory expansion according to the Kenya sugar board chairman Mr. Saulo Busolo and Webuye MP Mr. Alfred Sambu.

They both stressed the need to have the factory expansion given priority when addressing farmers  problems with the factory.

A Mauritian firm has shown interest Mr. Busolo told farmers in the expansion of the factory, to reach the crashing capacity of 10,000 tons per day.

They are responding to the Nzoia management request for experts to advise them on the much anticipated expansion program  to bring the harvesting nightmare to an end.

They have been  identified as specialists in the sugar industry who could give guidance for the company to improve on productivity.

Speaking last year, Mr.Oyatsi noted that “We have the potential to produce upto 85,000 tones of sugar:  and make shs.850million profit”.

The experts will look among other issues on the Arkel machinery which have been lying at the factory yard since 1992, if they can be installed.

The Arkel machinery according to factory sources has had vital components extracted and installed quietly  and indicated as newly imported spares.

Another issue will be what measure is required to  clear over mature cane which is going to waste , after farmers started planting the crop without following laid down regulations..

 

On his part Mr. Sambu blamed management for giving false figures on crashing of cane per day.

Management he said, used to talk about being capable of crashing 3,000 tons per day, which has decreased to 800 tons, when area under cane  had expanded rapidly.

They could not even maintain the 3,000 tons, he complained at least to be consistent with maturing cane in the fields.

He blamed poor forecasting by agriculture team at the company, who seem not bothering to tour farm fields to know the area under cane.

The refusal by the company not to harvest cane, Mr. Busolo said was contravening the sugar Act.

According to the Act, a farmer whose crop is burnt is penalized when harvested and delivered to the factory.

He accused the Nzoia board of directors for working outside the Act, when they should get direction on the steps to take from it.

Farmers he added can not be punished, by having their crop to go to waste when arsonists sets it on fire.

He told farmers, that the company still owes them hundreds of millions of  shillings in arrears which has to be paid in full.

The money Nzioa is supposed to pay include , interests on over mature cane , waived interests on loans to farmers by president Kibaki and presumptive tax.

He called on farmers to work as a team and come up with a scheme which will force the factory management to pay interest on cane after reaching 18 months as one way of committing them to stick to the harvesting program.

He accused the management for defying the government directive of 2001, to stop deducting presumptive tax which should be refunded  and estimated to be above shs.300million.

Afarmer Mr. Goeffrey Njuhilili accused elected leaders for being compromised by management as one reason for their suffering.

He claimed that past leaders used their positions to get tenders as suppliers , colluding with senior company managers, who become corrupt as they seek their protection.

Leaders mostly MPS from the region he cautioned should declare publicly if they are doing business with the company so that farmers   do not waste time taking complains to them.

Most of the speakers wanted to have the freedom to sell their crop to private harvesters so that they do not lose completely. 

 Mr. Oyatsi  who was appointed to the post late last year, pointed out that the future plans of the factory is to have milling capacity of 8000 tones per day.

“our thinking of the company’s future is to have the milling of not less than 8,000 TCD , translating into 2million tones annually”.

The MD , said currently they were milling 3.000 tones which he insisted was insufficient to handle all the standing cane.

To achieve this, he stated , was to motivate workers through recognition of their performance  and building team work..

“As much as I want to have  the most committed framing community around,  employees have to be productive and not waste their time while at  work stations”, he went.

The problem at the mill , he noted which has made the company not to perform is fear and distrust among workers.

“Workers spent most of the time fearing, or regretting about the past, thus they lack confidence when told  about setting and achieving targets “.

What annoys farmers most is that , now they have nobody to sp[aek for them.

During the last general elections politicians never made it a hobby to use sugarcane as a platform for election.ottom of Form

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