Kitui Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua has issued a statement clarifying misinformation circulating in the media regarding the Mung Beans Bill, 2022. The Senator expressed concern over inaccurate reports suggesting that the Bill would require all Kenyans to obtain a license to grow mung beans.
He emphasized that these claims are a misrepresentation of the Bill’s actual provisions and intentions.The Mung Beans Bill, 2022, which was officially published on December 30, 2022, and read for the first time in the Senate on February 15, 2023, seeks to establish a regulatory framework for the mung bean industry in Kenya.
Contrary to some reports, the Bill has already been passed by the Senate and referred to the National Assembly on February 21, 2024.
Key Clarifications from Senator Wambua:
Registration vs. Licensing:
– Registration: The Bill mandates small and medium-size mung bean farmers to register with the relevant County Executive Committee (CEC) member. This registration aims to maintain a database of mung bean growers, document the location, size, and variety of crops, and assess potential crop capacity at both county and national levels.
Licensing: Licensing requirements in the Bill are reserved for those intending to engage in the marketing, processing, or large-scale trading of mung beans and related products. This is explicitly outlined in Clause 9 (1) of the Bill.
Purpose of Registration:
~The registration process is designed to help the government better understand and promote the mung bean industry. Accurate data on mung bean farming will enable the government to strategize and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the global mung bean market.
~Promotion of the Mung Bean Industry:
– The Bill aims to create a structured framework to support the growth and development of the mung bean industry in Kenya. The registration is not a punitive measure but a step towards ensuring that the industry thrives both locally and internationally.
Senator Wambua urged the public and media to refer to the actual text of the Bill to avoid spreading false information.
He reassured farmers that the Bill does not impose a license requirement for growing mung beans but instead requires registration for small and medium-size farmers, similar to regulations in place for other crops like tea and coffee. The licensing provisions apply only to commercial activities such as processing and large-scale trading.
About Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua.
Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua represents Kitui County in the Senate. He has been a strong advocate for agricultural development and continues to champion policies that support the growth of Kenya’s farming communities.
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