The privatisation of the financially struggling Nzoia Sugar Company is the only viable solution to reviving the multi-million miller, which serves as a lifeline for many cane farmers, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has stated.
Speaking at the burial of Prof. George Fungo Chenge in Nangwe Village, Kabuchai Constituency, Wetang’ula announced that the process of privatising the sugar factory had commenced after a court dismissed a case that had been blocking the initiative.
“A case that had been filed in court blocking the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Factory has been dismissed, and the process will start immediately,” Wetang’ula said.
He urged those opposing the privatisation to step aside and allow efforts to revitalise the mill to proceed, enabling it to resume operations and reduce losses for farmers. Many farmers have been forced to transport their cane to distant factories, further straining their livelihoods.
“I want to tell individuals standing in the way of privatising Nzoia Sugar Factory that the world is changing, and they should let this exercise proceed for the benefit of the suffering farmers,” Wetang’ula added.
President William Ruto, during a stop in Bungoma town on the final day of his week-long tour of the region, revealed that the Nzoia Sugar Company would re-advertise its bid for a strategic investor to rescue the struggling miller. He stressed the urgency of bringing in new management to address years of mismanagement that have inflicted immense suffering on farmers and workers.
The President disclosed that the initial bid process had been canceled and assured the public that a strategic partner would be identified within two months to lease the company. He underscored the factory’s importance in ensuring timely payments to farmers and workers.
“I will not allow cartels opposing the lease of Nzoia Sugar to derail this process. We will deal with them decisively. If we get this right, Kenya will become one of the greatest sugar exporters. Last year, we didn’t import any sugar,” Ruto remarked.
Wetang’ula also encouraged farmers who had abandoned cane farming to return, emphasizing the bright future of the cash crop.
“I know some Nzoia Sugar Factory farmers were poached by rival companies. I urge them to come back and support the mill because the challenges faced by the factory will soon be a thing of the past,” he said, highlighting Nzoia’s vast potential as a mill with the largest cane nucleus in the region.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka pledged the county’s support for cane farmers to enhance their efforts in growing the crop.
“The county has suffered due to the collapse of Nzoia because it was one of our key sources of revenue. We will support any initiative aimed at reviving the mill,” Lusaka said.
Senator Wafula Wakoli attributed the mill’s woes to corruption, praising President Ruto’s efforts to combat graft through changes in top management.
“The poverty level in the county has increased since the collapse of Nzoia Sugar Factory. Those opposing plans to revive the factory are selfish,” Wakoli added.
