Rice farmers from Bunyala have faulted the proposal by the government to privatise Western Kenya Rice Mill.
Magombe Multipurpose Cooperative Society chairman Christopher Ngunyi said they are shareholders at the facility, yet they were not consulted.
"As members of Magombe cooperative society, we have shares in the rice mill and we are sad that the government has plans to privatise it," he said.
Ngunyi urged the government to allow farmers to buy the shares in case it wanted to withdraw from the company.
"We also want to urge the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to speed up the works at Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project," he said.
Ngunyi said farmers are suffering as the four pumps given to them by the National Irrigation Authority 10 years ago are now worn out.
He said Magombe Cooperative Society donated four acres to construct offices for the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project but the offices are not being utilised.
"We want the government to compensate us for the four acres that we gave out," Magombe said.
He said they have given a notice of 14 days failing which they take the matter to court.
Magombe said farmers are still counting losses during the rainy season yet the government promised to construct a warehouse and a store for them.
"We want this project to be completed so we can get enough water as soon as possible," he said.
Ngunyi also criticised the appointing authority for moving the National Irrigation Authority office headquarters to Siaya county.
"We want the office of the National Irrigation manager’s office to remain here near our scheme as the regional office," he said.
Ngunyi urged the government to consider providing subsidised fertiliser to improve their rice yield.
“We have 4,000 acres under rice growing and our big challenge is that we lack special fertiliser for the crop. We are forced to purchase the precious commodity from private agro-dealers," he said.
He urged the county government to establish a depot in the subcounty so farmers don't have to travel long distances to Malaba or Bondo in Siaya county.
