Y JEFF OTIENO
Nyanza PC Paul Olando has dismissed claims by Nyando MP Fred Outa that 24 million grant which was recently given to West Kano Irrigation Scheme has been siphoned by Senior Government and National Irrigation Board (NIB) officials.
During a stormy farmers meeting in West Kano NIB offices, the MP shocked farmers that the officers had swindled the grant nowander they were shifting goal posts and misinforming farmers.
“The money you’re expecting has been looted by these people seated here”, Outa said while pointing to the diase.
When he rose to speak Olando adviced the MP and other local leaders to weigh their sentiments before they utter them adding that such careless talks can spark unnecessary tension and hatred among the people.
“Whoever is claiming that some government officers have conspired to swindle the grant should immediately report the matter to the police for action”, the PC thundered to the attentive crowd.
He went on to alley fears from the farmers that the grant had been withdrawn saying that it was still intact but had just been deferred.
Olando emphasized that the grant will only be availed to farmers if they end wrangles and form farmers representative bodies.
Since early this year, West Kano Irrigation farmers have been on the war path with the MP who they argue is milking them dry through a Thika based Asian Operating under the flagship CAPWEL.
Their quest to meet the CAPWEL Director have been thwarted by the legislator who they allege is doing brokerage with the wealthy Asian to oppress them.
“How can we do business with someone who claims to be our partner who we’ve not even sat with”, said Amos Owiti who is the millers Director and a farmer.
Amos further claimed that CAPWEL was forcing them to sign contracts where they charge inputs to the tune of Kshs. 9,600 in terms of input per acre while other financiers charge a paltry Kshs.2, 500 per acre in other rice schemes.
“We want autonomy and we are tired of these punitive terms from CAPWEL”, Amos told the PC during a leaders meeting which preceded the main meeting.
“CAPWEL has extorted from us enough, how can they pay us 30 Kshs. Per Kg yet farmers from other schemes are paid Kshs. 60 per Kg,” said the chairman Obura Owuoth”.
West Kano Irrigation Scheme was started in 1976 and it has over 2500 acres owned by peasant rice farmers. It’s interesting and imperative to note that these farmers have not acquired title deeds since then.
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Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:03:02 -0700 [10:03:02 AM CDT]
From: JEFF
Subject: PC DIFFERS WITH MP OVER CASH