- Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya met with representatives from KCB Bank, receiver-manager and creditors and formed a steering committee to develop a strategy to restart operations
Lugari MP Ayub Savula has urged politicians to keep politics out of plans to revive Mumias Sugar Company.
He cautioned against protests and demonstrations, saying such a move will jeopardise efforts to revive the miller.
The company is currently under receivership management by KCB Bank.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya on October 30 met with representatives from KCB and creditors and formed a steering committee to work with the receiver-manager to develop a strategy to restart operations.
During the meeting, KCB threatened to auction Mumias Sugar Company assets to recover its money should there be any interference from politicians.
Local politicians have engaged in public blame games over who should take responsibility for the collapse of the sugar factory which was the main economic pillar for the region.
“We should be thinking about better ways of negotiating the payment plan of the over Sh20 billion owed to KCB, Kenya Power, Kenya Revenue Authority among other creditors as opposed to whipping emotions and inciting farmers for selfish political reasons,” Savula said.
The MP spoke when he presided over the groundbreaking for construction of classrooms at Mavaka Primary School in Chebaywa ward in his Lugari constituency on Saturday.
The move by KCB to place Mumias under receivership in September has caused panic among residents and sugarcane farmers. Residents still hope the once giant miller will soon roar back to life.
Savula termed unfortunate, attempts by politicians to make political capital out of the company troubles. He said the Mumias situation ought to be approached with sobriety because the receivership debenture had been gazette and cannot be wished away.
“Leaders must be realistic and be brave enough to tell the farmers the truth and engage the parties involved including the national government instead of resorting to sideshows at the expense of the economy of Kakamega and Western region at large,” Savula said.
edited by peter obuya