New revelations have emerged on what happened in Uganda, in connection with the ongoing sugar-deal debate.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Kiprono Kittony, who was among the delegation in Uganda, has clarified that there was no sugar deal signed between the Kenya and Uganda governments.
According to Mr Kittony, it is the Uganda and Kenya National Trade Chambers, that signed Memoranda of Understanding, which he says are general frameworks of engagement.
He reiterated that there was no particular deal signed in the said MoU.
Kittony sought to clarify that what happened between the two governments, is that Kenya agreed to open sugar market to surplus sugar from Uganda, while Uganda agreed to open its beef markets to Kenyan exporters. But nothing was signed on paper.
The KNCCI chairman maintained that the body does not sign deals on behalf of the government.
“The chamber of commerce signs deal on behalf of the private sector, we do not sign deals on behalf of the government,”
He added that Kenya operates under the common market agreement for East African Countries.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Kitonny accused the opposing factions of politicizing the whole matter.
See: Raila Odinga Criticizes President Kenyatta Over New Deals With Uganda
According to Economic Affairs expert Kwame Owino, any trade dealings between Kenya and Uganda are managed under the common market agreement for East African Countries.
Hence claims that Kenya and Uganda signed trade agreements could only complicate the treaties in the EAC protocol.
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s three day trip to Uganda last weekend has degenerated into a political tussle, with the government being accused of spelling trouble to the local millers by signing sugar deals.
Interview by Terryanne Chebet:
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