Farmers supplying cane to Nzoia Sugar Company and Rai Group’s West Kenya Company have backed the government’s move to lease Nzoia Sugar to a private developer Jaswant Rai for 30 years.

The privatisation deal is facing opposition from some MPs, opinion leaders and Trans- Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who reads mischief.

The leaders want the leasing documents made public.

Addressing the press on Monday in Webuye, the farmers’ spokesperson Gregory Nabukwesi said farmers support the deal.

“We support the government’s move to hand over Nzoia to Rai, a private developer whom we have worked with before at West Kenya Sugar Company, and we have no problem with him,” Nabukwesi affirmed.

Another farmer, David Opala said that farmers have endured Nzoia Sugar Company’s decline, noting that the farmers’ payments have been delayed, sometimes for years.

“Workers at Nzoia sugar have gone for long without salaries, a situation that is unjust,” Opala said.

Further, Opala saidWest Kenya Sugar Company has a proven track record of treating farmers and workers with respect.

The farmers told off the area leaders who are opposed to the leasing deal.

Those opposing the leasing of Nzoia have not presented any viable alternatives, Opala said.

Western leaders Jack Wamboka (Bumula), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari) and Governor George Natembeya are against the leasing deal.