The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Two key unions representing sugarcane farmers and industry workers have endorsed the government’s plan to lease four state-run sugar factories—Nzoia, Chemilil, Muhoroni, and Sony—as part of wider reforms to revive the ailing sugar industry.
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The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers and the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAWU) voiced their support after meeting with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe and the leasing committee chaired by Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire.
CS Kagwe assured stakeholders that the leasing process would be consultative and transparent. “We won’t make any final decisions without involving farmers, workers, governors, and MPs. Proper vetting will be done before any takeover,” he emphasized.
He also pledged that all outstanding payments to farmers and employees would be cleared before leases are signed, a position backed by National Treasury Director General Lawrence Kibet, who said the funds would be availed for this purpose.
Kilion Osur Anyango, secretary general of the farmers’ federation, said the leasing option had received backing during earlier public consultations under the Sugar Taskforce led by ex-CS Peter Munya and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“Farmers have rejected privatization. Leasing is the preferred route, especially since private millers pay on time,” Anyango noted, urging for standardization of weighbridges to ensure fairness.
KUSPAWU General Secretary Francis Wangara welcomed the assurance that workers’ rights will be protected, urging adherence to existing collective bargaining agreements. “No worker should earn less than their current pay. The proposed one-year job security guarantee is encouraging,” he stated.
The unions further recommended setting up a Sugar Arbitration Committee to resolve industry-related disputes and avoid further legal delays in the leasing process.
CS Kagwe concluded by confirming that the ministry has finalized new rules to implement the Sugar Act, aimed at reforming and stabilizing the sector.
