Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has clarified on the Mung Beans Bill, 2022, which seeks to set tough conditions for licensing of marketers, processors and large-scale traders of mung beans, popularly known as ndengu.
The Bill, which is seeking to introduce regulations for growing ndengu, was introduced in Parliament by Senator Wambua as part of envisaged reforms in the sector but caused uproar among Kenyans.
In a statement on Thursday, August 15, Senator Wambua, a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries declared his stance on the Bill, highlighting that the reporting was a case of misinformation.
The Senator said that some reports which claim that Kenyans in general will need to obtain a license to grow mung beans if the Bill is passed are incorrect, adding that this is a misrepresentation of the Bill’s intentions and provisions.
“It has come to my attention that misleading information is being circulated in the press and social media regarding the Mung Beans Bill, 2022, sponsored by Sen. Enoch Kiio Wambua. Specifically, some reports incorrectly claim that Kenyans in general will need to obtain a license to grow mung beans if the Bill is passed. This is a misrepresentation of the Bill’s intentions and provisions,” read part of the statement.
According to him, the Mung Beans Bill, 2022, was officially published on 30th December 2022 and was read for the first time in the Senate on 15th February 2023.
Senator Clarifies Mung Beans Bill, 2022
The senator pointed out that the Bill is no longer in the Senate as it was passed and referred to the National Assembly on 21st February 2024, contrary to some reports.
In addition, the Senator clarified that the Bill aims to provide a framework for the regulation and promotion of the mung bean industry in Kenya.
Wambua explained that the Bill seeks to facilitate and develop a framework that will regulate and promote the mung bean industry in Kenya, ensuring that it thrives locally and internationally.
According to him, the Bill does not impose a license requirement for growing mung beans but rather only requires registration of small and medium-size farmers, similar to other regulated crops.
Also Read: Inside Bill Seeking to Have Kenyans Face Ksh1m Fine or Jail Term for Growing Ndengu
The Kitui Senator said that licensing provisions are solely for commercial activities such as processing and large-scale trading.
Additionally, he said that the registration process of all mung bean growers with the respective County Executive Committee (CEC) member in their counties is a step towards achieving these goals, not a punitive measure against farmers.
“The Bill requires small and medium-size mung bean farmers to register with the relevant County Executive Committee (CEC) member. This is a common practice already in place for other crops such as tea and coffee,” the statement adds.
“The registration of small and medium-size mung bean growers is intended to help the government better understand and promote the development of the mung bean industry. This data is crucial for strategizing on how to make Kenya’s mung bean industry competitive on an international level.”
Registration and Licensing of ndengu growers
The Kitui Senator argued that the primary purpose of this registration is to allow the government to maintain a register, record the location, size, and variety of mung beans grown; and assess the potential crop capacity within counties and the country.
Also Read: Why Bill Seeking to Have Farmers Pay Ksh500 K Fine or Jail Term was Dropped
Wambua at the same time highlighted that Clause 9 of the Bill entails licensing which specifically requires only persons or entities intending to market, process, or engage in large-scale trading of mung beans and related products.
The senator has urged the public and the press to refer to the actual text of the Mung Beans Bill, 2022, to avoid spreading misinformation.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had earlier on Thursday, August 15, 2024, said that the Mung Bill passed by senators does not contain the provisions reported in some media.
“There is no such law before the Senate. The Mung Bill we passed at the Senate does not contain any such provision,” said Sifuna.
The National Assembly is set to reconvene on Thursday afternoon to continue its debate on the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bill No. 13 of 2022), alongside other items on the agenda.
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