Weeks after President William Ruto visited Mumias Sugar Company to officiate the handing over of the first-ever bonus of Ksh 150 million to sugarcane farmers, questions continue to arise over whether the payments were actually made. Some disgruntled farmers from the region claim it was mere political gimmickry, while others affirm that they received their bonuses.
This week alone, residents from Mumias East, Mumias West, and Matungu sub-counties held two separate demonstrations opposing President Ruto’s decision to grant West Kenya’s Jaswant Rai the authority to manage the ethanol production plant at the Mumias Sugar Factory.
The protests, staged in Shianda and Mumias town, echoed a unified message: they do not want Rai to take over the ethanol plant.
Speaking to the press today, the protesters led by local ward representatives Bonface Osanga and Fredrick Watitwa, alongside other regional leaders termed it ironic that Rai, who also owns a rival sugar factory, was given control of the unit. They argue that the current Mumias Sugar management, under the Sarrai Group, is fully capable of running all sections of the factory.
MCA Francis Washika expressed concerns that the decision could antagonize Sarrai Group, the current investor, potentially jeopardizing the ongoing revival of the factory.
The protesters are now urging President Ruto to allow Sarrai Group to take over not just the core factory operations but also the ethanol and power generation plants.
These demonstrations come just days after President Ruto’s visit to Mumias, during which he pledged to spearhead the revival of the ethanol and power generation units, facilities that were once integral to the operations of Mumias Sugar Company.
As tensions rise, all eyes remain on the government’s next move and whether the concerns of farmers and local leaders will be addressed.
