Keep politics out of sugar millers management, MP Salasya warns

 

Sugar miller Mumias is currently processing 3,000 tonnes of sugarcane per day following the installation of a new crushing machine. In a significant move towards full recovery, the management of Mumias says the new machine has the capacity to crush up to 6,000 tonnes of sugarcane daily.

Before its closure, Mumias was capable of processing 8,000 tonnes of sugarcane per day, making it the largest sugar miller in the country.

Joseph Kumar, the company’s manager, stated that their 9,000-acre nucleus estate has sufficient cane to sustain the plant’s operations.

“We have planted cane on approximately 3,000 acres and are waiting for the next dry season to plant an additional 3,000 acres, which will complement the raw materials sourced from our farmers,” Kumar explained.

The factory resumed operations after Sarbi Singh Rai of the Sarrai Group leased it. Jaswant Singh Rai of West Kenya Sugar Company opposed the leasing arrangement, prompting intervention by President Ruto.

However, politics—partly blamed for the factory’s previous challenges—has resurfaced, especially as farmers await their first bonus payment.

The sugar factories of Nzoia, Muhoroni, Chemilili, Miwani, and Mumias have become the focus of a new political wave, with politicians attempting to capitalise on their revival for political gain.

On Saturday, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who toured the factory, blamed political interference for the decline of the sugar sector in the Western and Nyanza regions.

“Let us leave politics out of these sugar factories, including Muhoroni, Mumias, Chemilili, Nzoia, and Miwani,” he said.

He added: “The only way to protect the interests of farmers is to ensure they are paid promptly, provided with loans, fertiliser, seed cane, and assistance with transportation costs.”

The MP also called on Bungoma County to support the revival of the Nzoia Sugar Factory, which, he said, was struggling due to poor management.

“I urge the people of Bungoma that if they want Nzoia factory to thrive, they must keep politics out of it and allow it to run as a private entity. Leaders should focus on supporting farmers’ interests and creating a conducive environment for those managing the factory,” Salasya said.

During a recent visit to Bungoma County, President William Ruto stated that he had addressed the management issues that had plagued Mumias Sugar, and that farmers were set to receive significant bonuses this month.

“For the first time, Mumias farmers will receive a bonus this month. I will be there in person to supervise, as we have allocated and invested funds for leasing and other activities to ensure that, just as we do for coffee and tea farmers in terms of bonuses, we must do the same for our cane farmers,” he said.

Ruto also directed that the factory ensure farmers and workers are paid on time and receive annual bonuses. The factory, which resumed full operations a year ago, had been mired in numerous court cases filed by West Kenya Sugar Company Chairman Rai, who sought to block the lease of Mumias Sugar to his brother Sarbi Singh Rai of the Sarrai Group. This led to President Ruto’s intervention through his famous “mambo ni matatu” remark, which resulted in the withdrawal of all court cases against the miller.

President Ruto also pledged to address the challenges facing Nzoia Sugar Company.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa welcomed the President’s decision to assent to the Sugar Bill, stating that it would revitalise the sugarcane sector.

“Sugarcane farming is the backbone of our economy in Western, and we will continue to support your efforts to revive the cane sector for the benefit of our people,” said Barasa.