Resume cane growing to sustain revived Mumias, farmers told

Savula said farmers should take President William Ruto's commitment that the government will ensure the giant miller is fully operational, as guarantee and return to cane farming and improve their living standards.

“We want the company to adopt fast maturing cane varieties  for farmers realise maximum profits from cane farming,” he said.

Savula was speaking during the burial service for Nathan Simiyu at Mukangu village in Navakholo constituency on Saturday.

He was accompanied by area MP Emmanuel Wangwe.

Majority of sugarcane farmers who had been contracted by the miller uprooted the crop after the company started facing financial challenges that resulted in delayed payments debit returns.

The situation was compounded by the repealing of the Sugar Act which created a free for all operations in the sugar sector by removing the sugar regulations that led to unfair competition for raw materials by rival millers.

The company closed shop in 2019 over accumulated debts owed to commercial banks and other creditors  and was placed under receivership by the Kenya Commercial Bank group on behalf of secured creditors.

Uganda-based Sarai group is reviving the factory after leasing it from the KCB group for 20 years.

The company's new management has urged elected leaders to help encourage farmers to resume cane farming. The revival process has however been dogged by numerous court cases.

During his tour of Kakamega county on December 8, President Ruto said the government would ensure the right investor is identified to fully revive the company.

Savula said revival of the company will only succeed and benefit farmers if there is enough raw material, and urged local leaders to support its revival.

He said the county's economy is driven by agriculture and revival of the company was critical to the economic performance of not only Kakamega but also other counties in the former Western province.

Savula also urged people living around the Kakamega Airstrip to cooperate in the planned expansion of the facility.

He said expansion of the facility was important to the economy of the county as it will allow larger commercial planes to use the airstrip in lifting agricultural produce to Nairobi.

“This will create employment opportunities and improve our economy. Let us see the bigger picture,” he said. He asked elected leaders to support the expansion programme.

Savula said the national government should hasten the compensation plan for the locals living adjacent to the airstrip to give up land for the exercise.

The airstrip requires 100 acres of land for expansion on the runway to be able to accommodate larger planes and other facilities.

The facility was closed in 2013 for renovations that cost Sh174million.  Ruto reopened the renovated Airstrip on December 8.

Maiden plane from Nairobi to Kakamega was launched by deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on December 15.

Earlier attempts by the government to acquire land for expansion flopped after the community became hostile, demanding abnormal compensation for their land after alleged incitement by local leadership.

Savula also said the county government will negotiate a settlement deal for relocation of Salvation army church at Lirhembe village  for the establishment of a Gold refinery plant in the area.

 

 

-Edited by SKanyara