Webuye, Kenya – A section of sugarcane farmers from Bungoma County have thrown their weight behind the government’s decision to lease Nzoia Sugar Company to a private investor, Jaswant Rai, for a 30-year period. The move, which is part of a broader plan to revitalize struggling state-owned sugar mills, took effect on Saturday following official handover ceremonies.
Speaking during a press briefing in Webuye on Monday, the farmers, led by Gregory Nabukwesi, voiced their full support for the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company to Rai Group’s West Kenya Sugar Company. Nabukwesi praised the government’s initiative, citing the success of privately owned sugar mills in the Western sugar belt compared to the persistent struggles faced by state-run factories.
“We support the government’s move to hand over Nzoia to Rai, a private developer whom we have worked with before at his West Kenya Sugar Company, and we have no problem with him,” Nabukwesi affirmed.
He described the transition as a significant opportunity for economic revival, adding, “We, the farmers of Bungoma County, stand united in our unwavering support for the takeover of Nzoia Sugar Company by West Kenya Sugar Company. This is a momentous occasion that promises to bring much-needed relief, prosperity, and dignity to our community after years of hardship and mismanagement.”
David Opala, another farmer, echoed Nabukwesi’s sentiments, highlighting the prolonged financial distress faced by growers due to delayed payments and operational inefficiencies at Nzoia Sugar.
“Farmers have endured delayed payments, sometimes for years, and workers have gone for months without salaries. This is both unjust and unsustainable,” said Opala.
He credited West Kenya Sugar Company for upholding fair labor practices and promptly compensating farmers under contract, leading to improved living standards in communities they operate in.
“This is the future we envision for Nzoia Sugar Company—a future where our hard work is rewarded and our contributions are valued,” Opala added.
However, the leasing deal has not been without controversy. Several political leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and MPs Jack Wamboka (Bumula), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), and Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), have expressed strong opposition to the privatization move. They have called for the leasing documents to be made public, citing fears of a lack of transparency and possible mischief.
The protesting leaders have accused the government of sidelining public interest and have threatened to mobilize residents against the handover. In response, the farmers criticized the dissenting politicians, accusing them of historically contributing to the collapse of Nzoia Sugar Company through political interference and misappropriation of company resources.
“These individuals have a troubling history of contributing to the downfall of Nzoia Sugar Company. They pressured the previous management for financial favors under the guise of political activities, siphoning resources that should have gone to farmers and workers,” said Opala.
The farmers argue that the same leaders who now oppose the deal were absent during the company’s decline and have failed to offer tangible solutions for the ailing sugar sector.
“Now, as we stand on the brink of a new era, they seek to incite unrest, hoping to extract bribes from new investors,” said Opala. “They have not presented any viable alternatives to solve the challenges facing the sugar industry.”
As the leasing deal progresses, the debate underscores broader concerns about transparency, governance, and the future of Kenya’s sugar sector.
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