Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has accused DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of stoking unrest over the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company. 

On Monday, business was paralysed as farmers, residents, and politicians engaged police in running battles. 

The protests started from midday to evening, after a cat and mouse game between the police and demonstrators. 

Hell broke loose after leaders led by Natembeya, Wamalwa, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah, former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga addressed protesters at Bukembe market and attempted to storm the miller’s premises. 

However, due to the heavy presence of police officers, the politician’s convoy and hundreds of demonstrators marching towards the factory were intercepted a few kilometres from the factory. 

Running battles 

Youth pelted the police with stones, forcing the officers to retaliate by lobbing tear gas canisters at them. 

The running battles lasted for almost four hours until police officers managed to drive out the leaders and protesters from the town and near the company’s premises. 

However, the leaders vowed to use any means to stop the leasing of the factory and block tycoon Jaswant Singh Rai of Rai Group, who has won the tender. 

They argued that President William Ruto and his government are out to sell the factory and weaken the region’s economy. 

“We will not allow someone to be forced down our throats, nor will Rai use force to operate our factory. We will not allow someone who wants to destroy and sell our property,” said Natembeya. 

He added: “We are protecting our properties, we will not be intimidated. They destroyed Pan Paper, and they want to destroy Nzoia Sugar Company. We will not allow the investor to ruin our properties, and if it is to die so that we can save our future generations, then we are ready.” 

Malala accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula of auctioning the community’s ancestral assets. 

“We want the government to obey the court order stopping any leasing process,” said Malala. 

Speaking during a prayer breakfast at the Holygate of Heaven Church in Bungoma on Wednesday, Lusaka blamed the leaders for fuelling protests against the government’s initiative to lease the ailing sugar mill to a strategic investor. 

“Don’t light fires in my house to warm your cold politics,” Lusaka said. 

“We have watched Nzoia rot for years under poor management and political games. Now that there’s a move to revive it, some want to gain political mileage by misleading the public.