President Kenyatta orders that imports of Sugar and Milk Powder to be tariff free until August 2017, who in the Jubilee will eat the spoils?

President Uhuru Kenyatta finally found a solution to the rising the prices and inflation on basic foods. Therefore on the day there is 30,000 tons Sugar coming in at Mombasa this morning.

This after the first Executive Order of Kenyatta this year said: “That the drought and the famine in parts of Kenya is a national disaster, duty shall not be payable for the following items- 

(a) Sugar imported by any person, with effect from the date of Notice to the 31^st August, 2017; and

(b) nine thousand tonnes of milk powder imported by milk processors, with the authority of the Kenya Dairy Board, with effect from the date of this Notice to the 31^st August, 2017 Dated the 11^th May 2017” (The Kenya Gazette, Vol. CXIX – No. 62, Nairobi, 12^th May 2017).

So as this happens, you can wonder if the Sugar millers and Sugar exporters are connected with the government. Since the 30,000 tons just appear on the day after the gazette. That means, someone knew about the plans of the government and let it happen. It isn’t just appearing from the sky, that a holy angel sends 30,000 tons of sugar to Kenya and the Port of Mombasa on the day after the Executive Order was signed and than relieved to the public by Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury Henry Rotich. He is just a useful CS, who certainly will have his pieces of deliverance of all the duty free goods.

That the government, close connections with the Jubilee government and the Sugar cartels will surely gain profits on these exported foods. This been in a country where the tariffs has been a 100% on Sugar and added VAT 16 %. Therefore, this reactions seem to be a ploy to earn monies on gullible people and think that the people will take it as goodwill. This is happening at the same time, as the prices on sugar is still on a two year low worldwide. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, might think the Kenyans doesn’t see through this. But they should question the companies, the boats and who orders the duty free goods to Kenya from today and until 31^st August.

Like who earns the profits on the sugar and the milk powder in these months. They are clearly planning it and not only for the famine and drought. But for sole purpose of gaining massive amount of funds in the period of campaigning. This just appearing and ordered in the critical time. The Jubilee government doesn’t know how to be subtle. Can wonder if any of the corporations and importing businesses owned by the Kenyatta’s or Ruto’s would benefit from this. I wouldn’t be shocked, neither if anyone else of the Jubilee government got a payday and huge amount of Bob’s in their accounts. Peace.

The law: 

Kenya: At the moment, Sugar is not sweet for Jubilee!

The prices of Sugar in Kenya is special experiment, as the taxation on imports of sugar is a 100% and also 16% VAT on the sugar imported. Secondly, the industry is controlled by the state, there been talk of privatization of millers owned and the Kenya Sugar Board who regulate the industry. As well as the Ministry of Agriculture is making sure the output of the farmers are corrected.

Therefore, as the prices worldwide is sinking and going-low, the prices of sugar are going up. This is happening in the months right before election time.

The government must know the industry is struggling as the only private miller Mumias are again on a downward spiral:  “Already, the miller has been closed for three months. According to managing director Errol Johnson the closure was meant to fix equipment, which had contributed to the company’s poor performance due to inconsistent maintenance. The closure from April 11 came barely a month after the cash-strapped miller received Sh239 million from the government, as part of the bailout strategy” (BiznaKenya, 2017).

That the Mumias miller proving the big-problems in the Sugar industry, as it has been evident for years. The agricultural output and yields haven’t been the issue alone, it is denial of the state to figure out working changes to the millers, the import and also control it has over it. That the government has the oversight and the insight to the issues, are clearly that the Jubilee haven’t been interested in-changing it, as the benefit of this system. Therefore, President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto hasn’t touched it or done anything else than bailing out Mumias on the last dive of the company. Therefore, the reports shown here. Proves the initial factors to the grand issues and why the prices are sky-rocketing, while the international prices are falling. Take a look!

Barriers for Sugar Productions:

“Sugar milling is a high fixed cost business requiring substantial economies of scale in cane crushed to break-even” (…) “Existing relationships of patronage between governments and large milling companies serve to align the incentives of government and millers such that new entrants would find it difficult to compete with incumbents and obtain the same benefits” (Chisanga, Gathiaka, Onyancha & Vilakazi, P: 12, 2014).

“Government ownership in the sector remains large, despite higher relative efficiency in the private sector and long term plans for privatization. While some privatization has taken place over the past decade, government-controlled factories held a 37 percent production share, with additional non-controlling shares in other firms. Part of the argument in favor of privatization is the relative efficiency of production in private mills over those controlled by the government” (…) “The local sugar milling market is quite concentrated, and combined with the barriers to trade this suggests that the largest players have significant power over prices. Mumias, the largest sugar company, had a market share of 38 percent of domestically produced sugar in 2011, lower than its typical market share due to cane shortages. Combined with the government-controlled share of the industry, this implies that essentially two entities control at least 75 percent of local production. The shares of local producers in domestic market sales vary quite widely depending on the period, as the volume of imports fluctuates a great deal. For example, Kenya Sugar Board data from the first two quarters of 2012 show importswere approximately 33% of local production” (Argent & Begazo, P: 5-6, 2015).

“Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, a government (Jubilee) body, reports that 2.2 million Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have closed shop in kenya over the last five years. These are some of the reasons that inform our opposition to Jubilee. Personally, I think Uhuru and Ruto are fine Kenyans; wonderful husband to their spouses; incredible fathers to their children; and great benefactors to their elite friends, but have terribly failed in the duties of the office of the presidency” (…) “All sectors of Kenyan economy has been negatively affected by the floods of cheap imports, brought into kenya by unscrupulous businessmen connected to those in power, having unbridled freedom to import anything of their choice without paying taxes: From sugar industry; to textile; to agriculture, denying kenya the much needed revenue for development. Over the weekends, the leaders behave like Frank Lucas, donating part of the proceeds from these imports to the same societies they are killing by giving out these import certificates” (Sadat, 2017).

That the government haven’t made sure the industry and financial markets been sufficient is proven with the macro problems in Kenya. The import sanctions together with the stronghold control of certain millers and Kenya Sugar Board, there are patronage and cartels that sets the prices and the payments for the yields. Together with the storage and cane production that is initial to the issues that are there today. That President Kenyatta and DP Ruto hasn’t taken charge and paid amends is the reason for the prices at this point. That the Sugar Barons, Sugar Cartels and Sugar Companies are connected with government is understood as the politicians are taking handouts from them as well.

As the COFEK open letter to Kenyatta said so well and I will end with:

“No one in your government can categorically state how much stocks are being held in the strategic grain reserves. Casual talk of wanting quality of the same maize, from the millers lobby, heightens speculation that your government is unwilling to walk the talk on cutting the cost of living. As things stand, it is fair to say that your Government has taken a holiday on consumer protection as cartels take over the all-important food security sector. It follows that your government, is therefore, in breach of Article 46 of the Constitution you swore to protect. Needless to mention, it is a tall order for you to protect and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya if they remain hungry – with a single or no meal at all, thanks to the high cost of living. Your government supposedly offers huge subsidies to farmers through farm inputs like fertilizers which do not get to them. It’s the middlemen and cartels who end up smiling to the bank as farmers toil in vain” (COFEK, 2017).

Peace.

Reference:

Argent, Jonathan & Begazo, Tania – ‘Competition in Kenyan Markets and Its Impact on Income and Poverty – A Case Study on Sugar and Maize’ (January 2015)

BiznaKenya – ‘Mumias Sugar to close indefinitely over cash problems’ (08.05.2017) link:https://biznakenya.com/mumias-sugar-close-indefinitely-cash-problems/

Chisanga, Brian; Gathiaka, John; Nguruse, George; Onyancha, Stellah & Vilakazi, Thando – ‘Competition in the regional sugar sector: the case of Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia – Draft paper for presentation at pre-ICN conference, (22 April 2014)

Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) – ‘Cofek open letter to Uhuru Kenyatta on high cost of living’ (02.05.2017) link: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/news-and-media/1718-cofek-open-letter-to-uhuru-kenyatta-on-high-cost-of-living?showall=&start=1

Sadat, Anwar – ‘REVEALED: WHY The ECONOMY is Almost COLLAPSING Under Uhuru Jubilee Regime, GoK’s Kenya Bureau of STATISTICS Exposes Shocking Numbers’ (07.05.2017) link: https://www.kenya-today.com/opinion/revealed-economy-almost-collapsing-uhuru-jubilee-regime-government-body-kenya-bureau-statistics-exposes-shocking-numbers

Victims of police brutality in Mumias speak out – Interview (Youtube-Clip)

“The brutal search for missing arms in Mumias has been stopped. The order was made by the Mumias West area deputy county commissioner Philip Soi.  This comes after a public uproar on police brutality during an operation to search for 7 guns stolen by armed men last week.  Residents have accused police officers of using unnecessary force. Soi, stated that the police force will employ other alternatives in the search” (Kenya NTV , 2016)

Opinion: Where did the Statesmen go?

There is a lot’s of Members of Parliament, lots of cabinets and governments with Ministers smiling and making nonsense claims or laws for quick popularity instead of long-term care of their citizens. That is why I write today, because this is international issue, where did the honorable elected person who actually gives a damn go? Do they hide in cave in Afghanistan or is it in tiny local council in Dublin? I just have to ask as the assets and the capital are spoilt, bent or betrayed by the same persons who are supposed to represent us. First let me explain what a Statesman is… and be clear this is not done in my words.

Meriam Webster says this: “a usually wise, skilled, and respected government leader” (Meriam Webster). Another dictionary says this: “a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs” (Vocabulary). Some qualities many people agree that a Statesman should have is: “Principles”, “A Moral Compass”, “A Vision” and “The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision” (McKay, 2012).

With that in mind you have a lot of expectation of a man or woman to be respected and qualities in the leadership from the person. There are not easy being resourceful, have the ability to govern and become respected. The ability and skills comes from the person and the respect. The respect comes from the ones the statesmen actually govern and international community.

The statesmen isn’t like the Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of our day. There might be a few exceptions but our society is so quick and so microwaved. The news and the decisions are taken out of nowhere. What is worrying is how the multi-national companies (Like Royal Shell, Amazon, Monsanto and others) and multi-national organizations (World Health Organization, World Bank and International Monetary Fund). That together with International trade and Unions (NAFTA, European Union, ASEAN);  who keeps forging the sovereign nations under siege by trade-regulations and the restrictions on the nations who complies with laws they set.

This here is with all of this in mind together with the endless cycles of elections that the politicians have in mind. The initial issues with the access to the media as the live-TV and debates, together with Social Media and even radio programs; there are these where their legacy and character are on display, together with the initial reporting on what they are doing in their councils or parliament. The Politicians have aspects as they supposed to be loyal to the party organization and also to the constituency.

The people who read the papers, the articles, listen to the radio and watch TV are the ones that will discuss these politicians and vote for them. They are the ones responsible for their existence if they are real elections then the ballot will pick the men and be tallied right. If they are rigged in and selected by a committee or an Executive, then they never will be statesmen; as they never have the moral compass to even show respect to the ones they represent.

An initial position for them is supposed to be the Representatives of the citizens or the constituency. These people who are supposed be leaders and take decisions where the end-game are supposed to be for the better for the citizens and constituency. In our time, the MPs and the Politicians are more into their own career and their own capital than the ones they are supposed be there for. Many of them could just been lobbyist and work for corporations instead of the chambers where they represent a district or a county.

When it is like this with the bottom-line is their own personal wealth instead of the moral judgement, when the words portrayed and pledges given are for fitting the times and popular judgement of the times instead of longevity of the constituency and nation. That is what is missing. So few politicians of our time is gambling their career for the common good or the care of their constituency; with that in mind the level of trust between politicians and the people are low.

The low trust is because politicians are not who supposed to be, they are either biased by the structures over them like the European Union or the Multi-National Companies who are controlling their judgement. The judgement and the laws set to regulate the actions of the Politicians are altered as they are usually the ones that set the standard and are the lawmakers in the Nations. That is why they need to be men of vision and moral capacity to create a consensus with others; this is because it is also agreed upon by the other parties and also with the other people who elected them.

Now that I have the bar; take shot and sit down. I have already black-balled a generation as we have inherited this, the parliament didn’t sit there all of sudden, as much as the books we have in our libraries with common knowledge didn’t happen to jump into the houses. All of this got created over time and with capacity and tender hesitation of what we wish for. This is because we as citizens have to take more care of the parties and politicians around us, as they are a reflection of our societies and the ground-level we all build. We cannot be bushwhacked by strangers, we have to make sure the policies and a law they creates is the ones that are accepted.

Because a true statesmen are the ones that makes a mark on our time; the ones that are not a politician who are just popular, but will be remembered for making the decisions that maybe was hard at the time, but on the long-term making sure that the nation and constituency got better or made progress. That is why we have politicians, they are not there to be kings and queens, be lords and honorable men who think they can run us naturally. Certainly they cannot, they are there because of us; if they do not serve us and they are not useful for us.

What I miss as I see in a Statesmen, is not take the popular decisions or the one in the time, but the ones who are there now is more politicians who thinks more about polls and elections cycles, than being about the people they represent. That they are pressured by the Multi-National Companies and International Organizations who putting pressure on them as well, but they shouldn’t bend backwards for these, as they doesn’t represent Brussels or Coca-Cola, but they represent their constituency.

I want a politician I can remember for having the balls to think about how the decisions will be remembered in 20 years and if it will be setting the standard for the ones after him/her. That is a statesman, who is somebody who actually cares about the real future, not next election cycle, not only the persons own career and also the clarity of the ramifications of their acts as representatives. So with this in mind, do you feel the same or am walking alone in this tabloid world of quick headlines and quick careers; instead of building nations and being gentlemen of the board and take charge of what is left of it. Peace.

Reference:

Meriam Webster ‘statesman’ link: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statesman

McKay, Brett & Kay – ‘The 4 Qualities of a True Statesman’ (30.01.2012) link: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/01/30/the-4-qualities-of-a-true-statesman/

Vocabulary – ‘Statesman’ link: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/statesman

The worrying signs of Police brutality in the coming elections in Kenya; as the Anniversary Tower and the siege of IEBC offices turns heads; My question to the JAP is: If they will be gentlemen or conning rulers, in either the spirit of Mwai Kibaki or the spirit of Daniel Arap Moi?

Just as the dust-settles and the tear-gas canisters get cleaned away from the area of the Anniversary Tower of Nairobi after the demonstration yesterday that ended in Police Brutality and arrogance from the Kenya Metropolitan Police Japhet Koome and his IGP Joseph Boinnet. They did this in service for the ruling party and the ruling government.

Ladies and Gentlemen President Mugabe of Zimbabwe because of yesterday have let the world know that Hon. Raila Odinga cannot look at the Lancaster House in Harare and see the inflation levels up-close in the Republic of Zimbabwe. That because the grand dictator of Southern Africa is disgusted with the actions of the CORD leader and his Political Alliance.

Let’s be clear, for the Jubilee Alliance Party MPs and Leaders speaking their mind and trying to deflect the issue. The Danger is the vacuum that the political framework is creating. Everything can’t be fixed building walls even if Donald Trump and Ministry of Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery building them to secure themselves. The same metaphor should not happen between the current ruling party and coalition towards the ODM, WDM and FORD-K of the CORD. That will just make it more heated then needed in the coming months.

Just as this is happening certain voices has answered with this:

“Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has condemned the Monday teargassing incident by police on a group of CORD protesters who were calling for the removal of commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission” (…)“The past is never dead. The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” William Faulkner. “Faulkner’s quote is my very painful reflection that teargassing of peaceful demonstrations has not been our past since our independence!” said Mutunga on his Twitter account” (Ombati, 2016).

This is a just answer to what happen as the Police shouldn’t attack fellow citizens in this way. That is not the way of creating dialogue between the CORD and JAP. That just becomes to stale counterparts who creates an environment that makes it harder to reform and make changes in society as the CORD will be bluntly pushed away by the security forces and Police Force without any impunity. Then I came over this fellow. The Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti said this!

Also the other reaction the CORD demonstration yesterday:

“We are thankful to God the way Kenya has been peaceful. We do not wish the country to plunge into turmoil again,” said Mr Kivuti” (…)”Anyone who has evidence against any IEBC official who has done something wrong should come forward,” said Mr Kivuti” (…)”Those against IEBC (commissioners) should start their campaigns early,” he said” (Wanyoro, 2016).

You are right at some Point, but the ones creating violence and tension yesterday wasn’t the demonstrators, but the Police Force and their reactions to the demonstration itself. This is the chain-reaction from the ones shooting the tear-gas and demolishing the citizens who have reacted together with their political party; something that Mr. Kivuti should understand as a political figure himself.

Well, the issue I have is that the IEBC have acted in bad-faith and created a uncertainty of their connection towards the ruling regime and the coming election if they will be civil. Then the IEBC need to be a unit that is not connected to none else then the procedure. The IEBC should be independent and not be partial towards any government or the Executive.

That is the issue that the Opposition have since the lawfulness of the Electoral Commission of the IEBC seems to be embedded with the Jubilee. Since it seems like that and the way they obviously demolished the Constitutional Referendum also questions their level of independence as the rules now is tailor-made for the ruling elite and is not opening up to the opposition parties.

So the Hon. Raila Odinga (ODM), Hon. Moses Wentagula (FORD-K) and Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (WDM) the main trio of the CORD went into the cross-fire and melee. Because of the Anti-Riot Police under the regime put the tear-gas and the bullets towards fellow citizens without any questions. As they wanted to get answers for their muffling and hustling the reality coming to the opposition.

The Ruling Party and the Opposition need both to relax into the coming months even as the aspired campaigning will start. The worry is that the police of Nairobi have set the precedence and might even create more havoc for the opposition as the ruling party can do as they do without any questions. That with the sense of how the Police entered and made the situation more unclear at Kakamega around 2^nd April 2016; where the Police even hurt fellow protesters and fellow supports of FORD-K and ODM supporters. This here is not now a single incidence at the once again the Police went all-in in Nairobi yesterday.

The IGP Boinnet need to think through if his loyalty is to the citizens of the Kenyan People or the President and his ruling regime. The same must the Nairobi Police Commander Koome need to think about. Where does their loyalty lay we may ask?

The other question after yesterday should be to reconcile the Opposition, the Police and the IEBC quickly and briefly if not then the hate-speeches and the termination of the resilience of the opposition will prosper in the vacuum created by this. That is not good for the ruling regime and their rhetoric. Especially, if them in the JAP speaks like the Senator Kivuti, who blames the Opposition for it, and not the ones who created the mess yesterday. Then you will have a stalemate and none will be able to counter each other in peace.

The peace that it will be will be shallow and the sudden impact might arrive later and nobody wants that. The need for dialogue and create an established level playing-ground. Not build walls, not throw tear-gas and not call each other out for non-sense need to be made. As the CORD only did what they knew, as much as the Jubilee live in arrogance and elitist place where the CORD wishes seems to be extra work and not earn extra on. Therefore the reforms from them are pointless as the ruling regime does not earn on listening to the opposition.

The Ruling Regime seems to be fixed in their own island and think they are untouchable out of reach and the ones that deserve to run the country without question. That is not a healthy position especially when the bodies that runs elections are questioned for their independence from the current regime. Not that the opposition is always right or always wrong. But when they can question the behaviour and the actions of the institution and then get tear-gassed for doing so; then there are something missing in the dialogue between the opposition and the government body. The Government is an overbuilding of all the citizens, even the ones that didn’t vote for the current government, the government represent the whole country even the voters and supports of the CORD; they do not only represent the JAP. That is important thing to put in mind and in spirit of the discussion and movement into the coming elections in 2017.

There are roads to take and hurdles to pass, but the way they are taken will show the true character of the ruling regime and the real ethical space of all actors in the political landscape in Kenya. The determined actions and rational deficiency of the speech and asks from opposition should be worry for the ruling regime. The vacuum and the impression of the stalemate is not creating the effect or the stable consensus that should be there. This not about Hon. Odinga, Hon. Wetangula or Hon. Musyoka and their parties alone, it’s about the image and maturity of the JAP and their president Kenyatta and Deputy Ruto.

The question is: If they will be gentlemen or conning rulers in either the spirit of Mwai Kibaki or the spirit of Daniel Arap Moi? How will the Jubilee want to be remembered and how will they lead into the elections as the legitimate leaders and might be after the elections. But if the elections are run by a questionable government body then the result of the ballot might be altered in favour of the rulers who secures the payment of salaries; instead of being independent of whom ever who runs and who might be running the government and appoint the government body. That is why we have to worry and question the actions that lead to tear-gas around the Anniversary Square and the outcome of yesterday’s Police Force in Nairobi towards the CORD demonstration. If we don’t then we let them get away without even a scratch for the tears and the agony while the ruling elite rides their Mercedes and appoint officials without questions is not a healthy political environment and not the kind of precedence that His Excellency Kenyatta would leave his name to and be remembered for. Peace.    

Reference:

Ombati, Cyrus – ‘Chief Justice Willy Mutunga condemns teargassing of CORD protesters (26.04.2016) Link: http://standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000199641/cj-mutunga-condemns-teargassing-of-cord-protesters

Wanyoro, Charles – ‘Cord protest against IEBC could spark unrest, Senator Lenny Kivuti warns’ (26.04.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/Senator-warns-Cord-protests-could-spark-unrest/-/1107872/3177060/-/14pl832/-/index.html