• Nzoia Sugar Factory's land is private property.
• Governor wants Sugar Development Levy be managed at the national level.
Image: JOHN NALIANYA
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has lauded a task force for coming up with recommendations to build a sustainable sugar industry in Kenya.
The governor spoke on Saturday during a validation meeting in Kisumu.
However, he asked the Taskforce on Development of Sugar Industry to be careful not to make the same mistakes that were made during the privatisation of Mumias Sugar and Pan Paper companies.
He called for the Sugar Act to be enacted so as to act as a guide for the legal framework and the privatisation exercise.
On the issue of land, the governor emphasised the need for the task force to understand that Nzoia Sugar Factory's land was private property.
“We want the issue of land ownership to be treated in a manner that recognises the land of Nzoia belongs to the people of Bungoma county. Nzoia Sugar has the largest nucleus in the region,” he said.
Wangamati also suggested the introduction of the Sugar Development Levy to be managed at the national level for equity in the management of all millers.
The meeting called by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri was attended by governors Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega, Migori's Okoth Obado Migori and Stephen Sang from Nandi.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula, Kanduri MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, farmers and other stakeholders in the sugar industry were also present.