Gathundu South member of parliament Moses Kuria has questioned the sudden blooming relationship between Kenya and its neighbouring country Uganda.
This is after Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni jetted into the country last week in a two-day state visit that saw the two countries sign some trade pacts that will promote business among the two states.
According to the Gatundu South legislature, Uhuru’s deal will create problems and suffering for local Kenyan farmers. Kuria called for the country’s legislators to reexamine the East Africa Protocol so that the deal is reversed.
Reports indicate that Kenya’s annual egg production stands at 1.6 billion while its annual consumption is 1.2 billion. This means that poultry farmers are stuck with more 400 million eggs every year.
The announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that Kenya will be gifting Uganda with land in Naivasha to put up a dry port has left many unanswered questions. It came with another announcement that Uganda would increase sugar and eggs exports to Kenya.
Many Kenyans read this land award as an enticement from President Uhuru to his Ugandan counterpart in order to safeguard his family business across the borders in Uganda.
One poultry farmer, Rachel Kuria, was quoted in the press saying that her profit margins have reduced from Sh50,000 to Sh40,000 per month before factoring in other costs such as medicines and chicken feeds. This is the more reason for regulating egg imports. It is important to encourage international trade, especially through the East African Community.
The pledges seemed to incense the public, which went on social media to claim the country was mortgaging its economy. Still, there was no guarantee from Kampala that it will buy into the railway deal.