The decision by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to suspend operations in sugar factories has had a significant impact on traders who operate near these mills, reports The Star.
The closure has resulted in employees from sugar mills being sent home, which has adversely affected businesses that heavily rely on these factory workers for their profits.
Traders near the Olepito Sugar factory in Busia, particularly those in Tangakona, expressed concern that the suspension of mill operations may lead to unemployed youths resorting to theft to support themselves and their families.
Local businesses have also been adversely affected by the factory closures, resulting in a downturn in their fortunes.
AFA’s decision to shut down the mills for three months, starting in July, is intended to allow sugar firms to address the challenge of sugarcane shortages before reopening.
The larger Western region has been facing a sugarcane crisis due to neglect of the sugar industry by key stakeholders, leading to a decline in cane production.
The traders and residents are appealing to President William Ruto to consider reopening the factories as soon as possible. They emphasize that each miller should have its sugarcane supply for milling.
The closure of the mills has had cascading effects on various sectors including shops, fish dealers, and hotels that operated in proximity to the sugar mills. The shutdown has led to a drop in local purchasing power and an increase in unemployment.
The business community in Busia is particularly concerned, especially as official reports highlight a potential sugar crisis with rising prices and stock shortages.
The directive to shut down the sugar mills was issued during a stakeholders meeting chaired by AFA’s director in charge of the Sugar Directorate, Jude Chesire.
