Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya (pictured-right) has revoked the appointment of board members of three State-owned millers to pave the way for them to be leased out.
In an advertisement, the government called for bids from interested investors to run the factories for 25 years and return them to profitability as well as pay accrued debts owed to cane farmers and lenders.
The three millers whose boards of directors were overhauled are Nzoia, Miwani and Chemelil.
“It is notified to the general public that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture has revoked the appointment of members of the board of management of Nzoia Sugar Company with effect from July 16, 2020,” read part of Munya’s gazette notice dated August 3, this year.
Nzoia sugar board members area Joash Wamang’oli (chairman), Michael Wanjala (managing director), Hillary Chongwony (director), Tom Ipomai (director), Karen Kandie (director), Anne Omodho (director) and Mary Makokha.
Others are Richard Njoba, Zakayo Magara, Stephen Kisaka, Patrick Musumba and Stephen Ikiiki.
Businessman Zedekiah Bundotich of Chemilil and Owino Likowa of Sony Sugar were also kicked out through a gazette notice.
Already, 29 companies have expressed interest in running the ailing millers and returning them to profitability.
Three weeks ago, Munya visited the region and announced that Nzoia Sugar had a cumulative debt of Sh11 billion, saying the government only waived the money the millers owe the Kenya Revenue Authority. He said the other debts would have to be restructured.
Senior Nzoia Sugar managers are being investigated over sugar theft.
