The National Assembly has suspended debate on a proposed law that sought to outlaw farmers from keeping bees for commercial purposes except in an apiary or home of bees registered by the government.
Speaker of the National As-sembly Justin Muturi yesterday halted debate on the Livestock Bill 2021, handing a reprieve to farmers who depend on the venture for income. Mr Muturi added that Majority Leader Amos Kimunya had requested the suspension.
Bee farmers in Baringo County a key source of the country’s honey had called on lawmakers to reject the Bill saying that it would lock out most of them.
The State-backed Bill sought to compel individuals wishing to be registered as bee-keepers to tender their application to the county executive member responsible for livestock.
It also sought to make it a criminal offence for individuals to possess bees or keep equipment for commercial purposes unless registered under the Act.
“At the request of the Leader of the Majority, Livestock Bill, 2021 is suspended. I have seen a lot of comments about it es-pecially bee keeping that have raised a lot of concern,” Speaker Muturi ruled.
Farmers risked a Sh500,000 fine or a prison term not ex-ceeding one year or both for flouting the requirements in the proposed law.
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