Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) has come out in defence of Tranz Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya over his involvement in the saga surrounding the takeover of the Nzoia Sugar Company.

The outspoken governor has been a vocal critic of the recent move that saw the Western-based factory among four government-owned industries leased to private investors for a period of 30 years.

Nzoia was leased to businessman and tycoon Jaswant Rai under his West Kenya Sugar Company, a move that sparked protests on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Natembeya leading a protest of the takeover by the residents.

In a statement dated Wednesday, May 14, 2025, DAP-K responded to claims by Senator Allan Chesang questioning the governor’s motive. Chesang argued that he was engaging in political showmanship rather than defending a justified cause.

“You must be told that Trans Nzoia came about as a result of people moving from the land at Nzoia factory to create space. Governor Natembeya has a right to fight for his people, whose ancestral land hosts the factory. Fight for devolution through timely disbursement of funds,” part of the statement read.

The leaders have, among other issues, demanded the immediate settlement of the farmers’ dues. They also questioned the leasing procedure, citing a lack of competitive bidding during the process.

In justification of the development, the Kenya Sugar Board on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, defended the leasing act, terming the procedure as undertaken above board.

Jude Chesire, the board’s Cheof Executive Officer (CEO), stated that the leasing process has been designed to favour sugarcane farmers.

“If they don’t deliver, we’ll hand it over to those who truly prioritise our farmers. For every kilo of sugar processed, the lease and concession fees from the four investors will flow back to the farmers,” he said.

Further, he stated that the government will revoke the investor’s lease should they fail to modernise mills, support sugarcane development, or pay farmers as agreed.

“Farmers come first. If investors leasing sugar factories fail to modernise mills, support cane development, or pay farmers weekly as agreed, the government will revoke their leases. A 30-year term is only justified by the heavy capital injection expected,” he added.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe also vindicated the move as one done after intensive consultations with stakeholders.

“The four firms were competitively procured by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Kenya Sugar Board, and other key government players,” Kagwe said on May 9, 2025.

He observed that the decision to lease out the four factories was arrived at after lengthy consultations with key stakeholders across the sugar sector, including farmers, sugar factory workers, unions, Members of Parliament, governors, and approvals by the Cabinet.