Sugar cartels funded CORDs 2013 campaigns Jubilee

The Jubilee coalition now alleges that millions of shillings accumulated by sugar cartels importing illegal sugar were used to fund the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) campaigns in the 2013 polls.

The National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is the CORD leader, facilitated illegal sugar trade and that he owes Mumias Sugar Company Limited millions of shillings which he should refund with immediate effect.

“Raila owes farmers millions of shillings that led to the downfall of the sugar industry in western Kenya,” said Duale.

“He (Raila) has only two options: either pay the farmers during his visit to western Kenya this weekend or present a repayment plan to the farmers.”

Duale says that Deputy President William Ruto brought changes and achieved some levels of sanity during his tenure as the Minister for Agriculture.

He said that during Ruto’s tenure at the helm of Kilimo House, at least 16 cartels were degazetted but later found their way back to the sugar business after his removal from office.

Duale, who led over 20 Jubilee MPs including former Agriculture Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki and Mumias East Member of Parliament, called on western Kenya residents to demand for their pay and that they should not fall prey to politicians who have selfish interests.

This comes even as the House Business Committee tabled a report on Mumias Sugar Company which now awaits debate by the MPs.