CORD principal Raila Odinga has faulted the Jubilee government for failing to revive the sugar sector in the country. Speaking at Eshisiru market in Lurambi constituency during his tour of Kakamega county, Raila said that the Jubilee government was looking at the symptoms of the sugar problems rather than focus on the root cause.
He said that the government has been unable to revive the industry despite pumping billions of shillings into the Mumias sugar company because they do not have the knowledge to handle it.
Raila further faulted the government for running the sugar company inappropriately despite the agriculture sector being devolved. He said that the sugar company management should be left to the county government for they are better placed to sort out issues affecting the farmers at the grass roots.
He said that the government can’t let go the sugar company and the industry at large because they are part of the illegal sugar deals taking place in the country at the expense of the poor farmer.
He assured that CORD was ready with a solution to handle the industry and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from it. Speaking during the rally, the Kakamega county governor Wycliffe Oparanya wondered where the jubilee government got the 2 billion shillings it plans to use during the launch of their merger on Saturday.
Oparanya said that it was a huge amount of money for a party to spend in a single day yet there are many people going without food for days.
The Ruaraka Member of Parliament Tom Kajwang called for investigations to be done, alleging that members of the party are thieves.
Kajwang wanted the Jubilee party to explain to Kenyans how they raised the 2 billion that it intends to facilitate its delegates on Saturday.
Also, present was the Siaya governor Rasanga Cornel, Shinyalu MP Silverse Lisamula, Lurambi MP Raphael Otaalo, Ugunja Mp Opiyo Wandayi, Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, Daisy Kanainza, Milly Odhiambo among others.