Sugarcane farmers now resolve to revive Busia Outgrowers Company

Sugarcane farmers in Busia county have agreed on revival of the troubled Busia Out-growers Company (Boco).

The farmers resolved during an engagement forum with Mumias Sugar (2021) Ltd at Kisoko in Nambale constituency to carry out fresh registration of members before holding election of directors in three weeks.

The farmers said they had been subjected to suffering because of the instabilities in the management of the company.

“We don’t want the current directors to conduct any business in the next 21 days. We want a new set of officials,” a farmer Fobian Omwaro said.

Another farmer, Joseph Barasa, said the interim term for the current leadership expired a year ago.

“The current efforts to revive Boco is a relief to us farmers. For the first time, we are being involved in the process to reclaim what is rightfully ours,” Barasa said.

Boco has been entangled in prolonged leadership wrangles and court battles that paralysed its operations, leaving thousands of farmers in debt and despair.

The company is an intermediary between farmers and the millers to safeguard the interests of the farmer.

Nambale Deputy county commissioner Caroline Onchoka who attended the meeting, urged farmers to maintain peace and stick to strict implementation of the agreed resolutions.

“All the decisions made here are from you farmers, and they must be respected and fully implemented. The administration fully supports this process to ensure order is restored,” Onchoka said.

She warned that any attempt to disrupt the transition would have consequences.

Mumias Sugar (2021) Limited Head of Operations and Administration Stephen Kihumba, who presided over the meeting, said the registration will be done at local chief’s offices and will form the basis for electing new, credible Boco leadership.

“We have agreed to immediately start registration and compile a new register to be used in elections. The elections will be conducted within 21 days to ensure we get legitimate leaders to represent farmers’ interests,” Kihumba said.

He ordered the interim directors to surrender all company property including tractors, which will be parked at the company’s weighbridge until new management assumes office.

He also announced a temporary freeze on Boco’s bank accounts.

“The bank account will be frozen to ensure no funds are misappropriated during this transition,” he said.

He revealed that under the current milling management, Mumias Sugar (2021) Ltd had remitted Sh11.5 million to Boco and repaired tractors now back in operation.

He said the company paid Sh18.9 million in cash to the Busia county government in cess.

Kihumba also highlighted the impact of the 2024 bonus pay-out, saying that cane farmers from Busia received 90 million or 60 per cent of the Sh150 million bonus pay-out last year.

He said the county produced the highest individual cane delivery, with one farmer delivering 2,900 tonnes.

“We commend the dedication of Busia farmers. The top bonus earner was from this county,” Kihumba said.