Cane farmers in Kisumu county’s Nyando sugar belt are furious with local leaders for opposing the lease of state-owned sugar mills to private investors for 30 years.
The region, home to Chemelil, Muhoroni and Miwani factories, has long struggled with mismanagement and farmers now accuse politicians of sabotaging progress.
Farmer Kilion Osur, who is secretary general of the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, says leaders have failed for decades to fix the sector and end farmers’ poverty.
“We rejoiced when the government leased these mills to private players who can revive them. Yet our elected leaders only criticise without offering solutions,” he said.
Farmers argue that leasing will boost livelihoods and end years of poverty caused by collapsing factories.
Chemelil and Muhoroni have been handed to Kibos Sugar and West Valley Sugar, respectively.
Osur praised Kibos for maintaining feeder roads and creating jobs, calling the deal a “lifeline” for farmers.
Jassi Chatthe, a Kibos director, emphasised that the company is Kenyan-owned, countering claims by local MPs.
“We’re not outsiders. Kibos is the largest employer here, uplifting thousands,” he said.
Farmers like John Okita from Muhoroni dismiss politicians’ resistance to leasing as “hot air”.
After decades of unpaid dues under state management, Okita sees hope in Kibos.
“They pay promptly. Chemelil will never be the same under them,” he said.
He recalled how Miwani’s collapse in the 1990s devastated schools, markets, and hospitals — a situation he fears will be repeated if leasing is blocked.
Kisumu tout James Onyango attested to Kibos’ positive impact, saying areas like Kondele and Kibos revived after the company’s arrival 17 years ago.
“Housing demand here is high because of the jobs Kibos created,” he said.
Muhoroni MP James Koyoo recently criticised Kibos’ takeover of Chemelil, but farmers like Okita are baffled by some legislators’ resistance
“Where were these MPs during public participation since 2015? Nyando MP Jared Okello sits on the Agriculture committee — what did he contribute?” Okita asked.
Francis Wangara of the Kenya Union of Sugarcane Workers backed the leases, saying private millers agreed to clear workers’ arrears and retain staff.
“We fought for this transition. The government will ensure no worker is victimised,” he said.
Farmers and workers agree: leasing is their best hope. They urge leaders to stop politicising the process and support a move that could finally rescue the sugar sector.
These sentiments follow a similar stance by Nzoia Sugar farmers. They say the leasing would end their woes of many years.
Farmers and workers are in agreement that the Ministry of Agriculture has done a good job.
They say any further posturing by local leaders is a recipe for continued poverty and frustration in the once-neglected sector.
