Mung Beans Bill: 'Only large scale traders will pay for licences,' Senator Wambua clarifies

Wambua in a statement on Thursday clarified that contrary to media reports that the purported 'punitive' Bill was in the Senate, it had already been referred to the National Assembly early this year.

He disputed claims that all Kenyans will need to obtain a license to grow mung beans if the Bill is passed saying that only persons or entities that intend to market, process, or engage in large-scale trading of mung beans and related products will require licenses.

The lawmaker further underscored that the Bill required only the small and medium-sized mung bean farmers to register with the relevant County Executive Committee (CEC) member similar to the registration practice of tea and coffee farmers.

"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. Contrary to some reports, the Bill is no longer in the Senate; it was passed in the Senate and referred to the National Assembly on 21st February 2024," he stated.

"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."

Wambua added, "The Bill does not impose a license requirement for growing mung beans; it only requires registration for small and medium-sized farmers, similar to other regulated crops. The licensing provisions are solely for commercial activities such as processing and large-scale trading."

According to the Senator, the purpose of the registration is to allow the government to maintain a register of all mung bean growers, record the location, size, and variety of mung beans grown and also assess the potential crop capacity within counties and the country. 

"The Bill seeks to facilitate and develop a framework that will regulate and promote the mung bean industry in Kenya, ensuring that it thrives both locally and internationally," he noted.

"The registration process is a step towards achieving these goals, not a punitive measure against farmers. I urge the public and the press to refer to the actual text of the Mung Beans Bill, 2022, to avoid spreading misinformation."

Kenyans across social media platforms expressed anger towards the Senate over the Bill saying that the government's intent was to register farmers for purposes of taxation. 

The Bill dictates that these regulations shall be done between the Agriculture and Food Authority, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja and the Council of Governors.