Kenya: Nyando Member of Parliament sued – Nyando rice farmers have of late been on the war path with the MP
Posted by African Press International on July 22, 2009
BY JEFF OTIENO:
Nyando legislator Fred Otieno Outa has been sued by West Kano Rice Co-operative Society Members for interfering with the affairs of the body.
Under certificate of urgency dated 25th June 2009, tribunal case No.42 in Nairobi, the farmers through their advocate Moses JA Orengo argue that the MP has allegedly called for elections of new co-operative members yet there are duly elected officials in the office and the claimants stand to suffer irreparable loss or damage unless the respondents (District Co-operative officer included) are restrained from interference.
The officials went on to argue in their suit that the MP was the chairman of the society until he resigned in July 2007 to join active Politics and later issued a notice dated 4th Feb 2009 paving way for Annual General Meeting (AGM) which were peacefully held and returns filled by second respondent (the District Co-operative Officer).
They are further demanding that the MP be compelled to release Kshs. 236,400.00 being bank charges, Kshs. 473,400.00 for drying floor facilities and Kshs. 161,608.00 being accumulated commissions hes with holding.
It concludes in one of the paragraphs that the MP and a Thika based firm operating under the flagship CAPWEL Ltd have been working in conduct to oppress the hapless farmers, yet the said farmers have their own mill at Ahero which is co-owned by the Government and West Kenya schemes (Ahero, Bunyala and West Kano), thereby denying the farmers the value addition as the said members do not benefit from the by products (broken rice, rice jam etc) leading to loss of employment to the locals.
In a letter dated 2nd July 2009 the MP through his advocate G.O Yogo who also happens to be an official of the Nyando C.D.F Committee requested that they should be given time within which to file a replying affidavit.
Nyando rice farmers have of late been on the war path with the MP over what they term Gross interference and Oppressive schemes by a company associated with the legislator.
During a recent funeral in Nyando Constituency the MP was allegedly over heard telling mourners that he better pursue farming instead of being told to cling on parliamentary seat.
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