Individuals engaged in ndengu trade without a license will soon face a fine of Sh1 million or a two-year jail term if the Mung Beans Bill 2022 becomes law.
Under the bill, marketers, processors, and large-scale traders will be required to obtain a license from the relevant county government to conduct their activities.
“A person who contravenes the provisions of this bill commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both,” the Bill states.
Traders intending to market, process or carry out large scale trading in mung beans or mung beans products shall make an application for a licence to the county licensing committee in the form prescribed by the county executive committee member. The licensing committee is then mandated to communicate the licensing decision to the applicant within 21 days.
Introduced by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, the bill had its first reading on February 15, 2023 and after going through subsequent procedures the bill was passed in February 2024 with amendments. The bill was then referred to the National Assembly.
Furthermore, the bill also proposes that all growers must register with the relevant county executive committee member, providing details such as name, location of land, and mung bean variety grown.
Additionally, the County licensing committee has ground to deny issuance of a license if; the applicant has submitted false or misleading information in the application, the application does not comply with the provisions of this Act or the application does not comply with the requirements of relevant county legislation.
“A county licensing committee may cancel a licence issued under this Act where the holder of such a licence is in breach of the provisions of this Act or any other relevant national or county legislation,” the bill states.
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Senator Wambua defended the bill’s provisions emphasizing its role in eliminating exploitative practices by brokers and enhancing farmers’ revenue in Kitui and other counties.
“The passing of the bill will see the development of a framework to regulate and promote the development of the mung beans industry in Kenya to make it competitive at the international level, leading to increased productivity and higher income for growers, “the senator said.
All applicants with approved licenses will be required to renew them annually.
– By Wanjiku Hilda
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