President William Ruto has affirmed that Nzoia Sugar Company is not for sale, stating that the government will instead install professional management to promote efficiency at the factory.
Leaders from western Kenya led by Former Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa on January 22 refuted plans to privatize Nzoia Sugar following a court order.
We have opposed the privatization of the Nzoia sugar company, without parliamentary oversight. As Azimio, we went to court with our leader Hon. Raila Odinga to stop the process of privatization. This is a plan to take and buy Nzoia sugar, by those who want the privatization of government parastatals,” former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa said.
Sugar millers in western Kenya, including Mumias Sugar and Nzoia Sugar, had to halt operations from mid-July to September 2023 following a lack of mature cane, a move that caused the skyrocketing of sugar prices in the country to around Ksh 500 per 2kg pack.
Mumias Sugar resumed operations on December 1, 2023, after milling was suspended from July 13 to November 30 of the same year for lack of mature cane.
Operations and Administration Manager Stephen Kihumba promised farmers that the miller would be paying them for supplying cane after seven days without any delays and the price for a tonne of sugarcane was set at Ksh 6,050.
On the other hand, Nzoia Sugar Company resumed operations on December 9, 2023, after closure due to a lack of mature cane that left over 67,000 sugarcane farmers in limbo.
During the reopening ceremony, Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka said, “I apologize that you had to go for 21 months without your source of income. It is not an easy thing considering the harsh economic times in the country. We hope that all will go well.”
Privatisation of parastatals in Kenya
A section of Kenyans and leaders in opposition opposed the plan, saying state corporations like KICC should never be privatised.
Kenyans and leaders in the western region wait to see whether the government will revive operations at Nzoia Sugar and make the company profitable.
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