KENYA – The National Assembly of Kenya has recently faced a significant setback regarding the Mung Beans Bill, also known as Senate Bill No. 13 of 2022, which was rejected during its second reading.
This legislative proposal, co-sponsored by Mwingi North MP Paul Nzengu and initially introduced by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating and promoting the mung bean industry in Kenya.
The bill was first published on December 30, 2022, and subsequently read in the Senate on February 15, 2023, before being passed and forwarded to the National Assembly on February 21, 2024.
The primary objective of the Mung Beans Bill is to enhance the mung bean sector by implementing modern farming techniques and promoting its use in national feeding programs.
It seeks to ensure that local and international markets benefit from a well-regulated mung bean industry.
However, its rejection means that further negotiations will be necessary. Following this decision, the bill will be sent to a mediation committee composed of equal members from the National Assembly and the Senate.
According to Article 113 of the Kenyan Constitution, this mediation committee has thirty days to create an agreed-upon bill.
Once this mediated version is developed, it will be presented in both Houses for consideration. If both chambers approve the committee’s report and the revised bill, it will be deemed passed.
Senator Wambua has expressed his disappointment regarding the rejection but remains hopeful about the mediation process.
He emphasized that misconceptions surrounding the bill have contributed to its challenges. “Some reports incorrectly claim that Kenyans will need to obtain a license to grow mung beans if the Bill is passed. This is a misrepresentation of the Bill’s intention and provisions,” he stated in a recent press release.
The initial proposal included measures requiring individuals or entities engaged in marketing or processing mung beans to obtain county governments’ licenses.
Additionally, it mandated that all growers register with their respective County Executive Committee (CEC) members responsible for agriculture.
This registration process aims to maintain a comprehensive database of mung bean farmers across counties, essential for assessing crop capacity and strategizing for international competitiveness.
Despite these intentions, many legislators expressed concerns about potential burdens on small-scale farmers.
The National Assembly’s rejection reflects these apprehensions, as many representatives fear that such regulations could hinder local producers rather than support them.
A notice from the assembly confirmed the outcome: “The National Assembly by a majority has rejected the Mung Beans Bill at the second reading stage.”
As discussions continue within the mediation committee, stakeholders from various sectors closely monitor developments related to this bill.
Farmers and agricultural advocates are mainly invested in ensuring that any final legislation supports their needs while promoting sustainable practices in mung bean production.
While the Mung Beans Bill has encountered obstacles in its journey through Kenya’s legislative process, there remains an opportunity for compromise and collaboration between both Houses.
The outcome of these negotiations will ultimately determine how Kenya’s mung bean industry evolves and thrives in both domestic and international markets.
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