Reopen sugar factories now, farmers urge State

Some sugar cane farmers in Kakamega yesterday protested over the closure of some sugar factories.
The farmers said they were going through tough times as their cane had matured but they have to wait until October to have it harvested.

“My cane was already matured last month when I was informed that the government had imposed a three-month ban on harvesting. It is now wasting away and being stolen,” said Kevin Mulamula, a farmer from Lurambi constituency.

It is tough times for the growers following the closure of three millers located in Kakamega.
Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) ordered closure of the factories to give room for maturity of sugarcane.
There has been intense competition for cane, especially after Mumias Sugar resumed operations.
There has been a sugar crisis in the larger Western region following neglect of the sugar industry by key stakeholders.

Desperation has engulfed the county as the farmers grapple with hard economic times as they have nowhere to deliver their cane.

Leaders from the county said the 90-day suspension was harsh to some of the growers, especially those whose cane had matured for harvesting.

“This blanket suspension on cane-crushing by sugarcane factories which are located mainly in the Western region has had detrimental impact on thousands of families,” said Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe.

“Here in Kakamega, for instance, families are going hungry and have no fees to pay for their children when they return to school for the third term. Some already have huge fees arrears. I foresee a major crisis next month,” he added.

Spot-checks by the People Daily established that thousands of workers at Mumias, West Kenya and Butali sugar factories had been sent home leaving their workstations desolate.

So are the workers hired by transporters, suppliers and other business that deal directly or indirectly with the millers.

“This closure was not well-thought-out because this was not the right time to take such a decision. It has caused suffering. Imagine the workers who are at home, many of whom have not been paid and hundreds with huge salary arrears,” said George Muruli, a cane farmer from Shinyalu constituency.

He added: “More than 1,000 trucks and tractors are lying idle in yards. One truck has a driver and two assistants. That means more than 3,000 Kenyans will have no income to feed their families during this period.”

Another farmer, Raphael Welimo, pointed out that many residents from the county who were developing interest in cane growing would abandon it altogether and, thus, further affect operations of the millers due to insufficient raw materials.

Kakamega County Government has organised a sugar conference on September 8.
Governor Fernandes Barasa said the conference would bring together stakeholders from the entire Lake region to address the challnges in the sector.

“We will hold a sugar conference next month to discuss issues bedevelling the sector, especially in Western and Nyanza regions. We have invited President William Ruto to be with us as we work to find a lasting solution to troubles in the industry,” he said.