State betraying sugar belt, leaders rage over mass sacking plans

Workers at Chemelil Sugar Company down tools over their delayed July salary, while the Ministry of Agriculture has issued redundancy notices for state-owned sugar millers in the region /FAITH MATETE

Leaders from Western Kenya have opposed the planned mass dismissal of workers from state-owned sugar factories under lease, describing the move as a betrayal of the region’s workforce.

The leaders, drawn from both government and opposition, said the decision contradicts assurances given when the leasing framework was introduced to revive the struggling sugar sector.

They warned that thousands of families now face uncertainty despite earlier promises that jobs would be safeguarded.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, his Trans Nzoia counterpart George Natembeya, and Awendo MP Walter Owino said the layoffs would undermine livelihoods in a region already grappling with poverty and unemployment.

Nyong’o criticised the redundancy approval by Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh, calling it “unilateral, ill-advised, and a recipe for chaos.”

“The leasing of these mills was meant to secure a sustainable future, not dismantle the existing workforce. Layoffs directly contradict that promise and threaten to destabilise the very sector we are trying to save.”

Owino, whose constituency hosts Sony Sugar, said the government had initially assured farmers and workers that leasing would inject capital, modernise factories and protect jobs.

“When leasing was introduced, the promise was timely payment for farmers and continuity of employment. We were never told jobs would be lost,” he said. “If workers must go, then they should first be fully compensated.”

The leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of the redundancy notice and called for urgent consultations between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Governors and workers’ representatives.

Natembeya warned that layoffs would have severe economic and social consequences in Western Kenya. “I will not stand by as thousands of families are pushed deeper into poverty under the guise of restructuring. Our people deserve a transparent and inclusive process that modernises the sector while protecting jobs,” he said.

On August 15, Agriculture PS Ronoh directed the managing directors of Sony, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Nzoia sugar companies to issue formal termination notices to their employees, in line with Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007, and the applicable CBAs.

The notices, affecting more than 5,000 workers, take effect from October 31, 2025. Employees are expected to receive redundancy benefits and outstanding entitlements under the law.

Many of the workers are still owed salary and allowance arrears estimated at Sh5.23 billion, which the national government had earlier committed to clear within six months of the leases.

INSTANT ANALYSIS The law requires that all employees declared redundant be paid their full dues, including severance pay and benefits as outlined under Section 40 of the Employment Act and respective CBAs. The challenge for the government and investors will be to manage the process transparently while clearing outstanding arrears to avoid unrest and further instability in the sugar belt.

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