Relief for Sugar farmers as Agriculture CS Peter Munya announce Shs58 billion tax amnesty

Agriculture CS Peter Munya has announced amnesty for loans
worth KES 58 billion and tax revenue worth 4 billion owed to KRA by Sugar
Companies.

CS Munya also announced that the ministry has started to
lease 5 government-owned Sugar mills to private investors in order to revive
the industry.

The move comes after president Uhuru Kenyatta met western
Kenya leaders led by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Wednesday at
Harambee House, Nairobi.

The meeting was aimed at discussing the ongoing Government
efforts to revive the ailing sugar industry, beginning with Mumias and Nzoia
sugar factories.

According to a report by the Presidential Strategic
Communication Unit (PSCU), President Uhuru Kenyatta assured the leaders of his administration
commitment to reviving the sector, through implementation of the sugar
taskforce report recommendations.

The task force, which was co-chaired by Agriculture CS Peter
Munya and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, outlined several interventions
among them writing off of debts owed by the millers.

The move by CS Munya is part of the ministry of Agriculture’s
sugar sector regulations and reforms, which will see a complete change in the
industry.

The meeting was attended by Western region Governors
Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Wangamati
(Bungoma), Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans-Nzoia).

Also present was COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli.