Make details of sugar deal public, unionists say

Cotu on Sunday asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to shelve the implementation of a sugar importation deal to allow wider consultations.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) said farmers and workers in the sugar industry were ignored, yet their input is important.

Union members said the details of the agreement between President Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni should be made public to clear doubts.

Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation Workers Secretary-General Francis Wangara said the claim that Uganda produces surplus sugar is misleading.

“The President should look for other trade options. Any country that imports sugar should not be allowed to export the commodity,” said Mr Wangara, who read a press statement at the Cotu headquarters, in Nairobi.

DUPING KENYANS

The leaders criticised politicians allied to the Jubilee coalition for duping Kenyans to believe that the public stands to benefit from the deal, yet it is a scheme meant to benefit traders who have no interest in the sugar industry.

The Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha) Secretary-General Albert Njeru said it is wrong for Mr Kenyatta to solely make such a commitment.

“The President should not be the only one determining what is good for Kenyans. The agreement should be put on hold to give room for a thorough scrutiny of the details to see if it adds value to our economy,” said Mr Njeru.

Instead, he said, farmers should be given incentives to produce more sugar. The official said the fight against corruption in State corporations should be enhanced to guarantee good management that would lead to improved productivity.

DEFUSE PROTESTS

The President and his deputy, Mr William Ruto have separately traversed western and Nyanza regions in what is believed to be a deliberate effort to defuse growing protests over plans to open our boundaries for cheap sugar.

Mr Kenyatta has maintained that the deal to import sugar from Uganda to cover a deficit is for the good of Kenyans. Mr Ruto led a team of Jubilee leaders which has accused some Opposition leaders of being behind the woes affecting the sugar industry.

He said Kenya and Uganda would partner to deal with rogue traders who repack imported sugar and sell at exorbitant prices.

But, Mr Wangara claimed a gang in Kenya and its Ugandan partners are behind the importation deal.