An MP from Western Kenya has urged leaders from the region to unite and speak with one voice ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit next week.
The head of state will inspect national government projects in the region.
Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi urged the leaders to ask the President to inject cash into Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma and Mumias Sugar Company in Kakamega.
He said the cash would be used to pay cane farmers their dues and workers' salaries.
“Recently, we have experienced frequent strikes at Nzoia Sugar Company and I am hoping that the President's visit will give a lasting solution to this menace,” Wamunyinyi said.
In April, farmers contracted by Nzoia Sugar protested over the failure by the company to pay them.
At the time, the farmers said they had not been paid for seven months, despite the company harvesting their cane and selling sugar.
The company's management heaped blame on the previous regimes, saying they were still paying arrears accumulated over the years.
On Mumias Sugar, there have been efforts to revive the giant miller, which has remained closed for over two years due to a huge debt, poor internal governance and insufficient supply of raw materials.
The closure of the factory led to job losses for people who depended on the company for livelihoods, either directly or indirectly.
The loss-making miller was placed under receivership by KCB Group in September 2019, to protect its assets and maintain its operations.
Attempts by the government to revive the miller failed, even after pumping over Sh3 billion in its turnaround. Its revival has split the leadership in the Western region down the middle.
Edited by A.N
