Elected officials from Kisumu County are urging President William Ruto to intervene and stop the ongoing leasing of state-owned sugar factories, including Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Miwani. They claim the process is flawed and lacks transparency, reports The Star.
Members of Parliament James Nyikal (Seme), Onyango Koyoo (Muhoroni), Aduma Owuor Owuor (Nyakach), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East), Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), and Women Representative Ruth Odinga, collectively stated they are not opposed to leasing in principle, but are deeply concerned about the current procedures.
In a joint press release, the leaders expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting a “lack of transparency, disregard for public input, and threats to local livelihoods.” They characterized the leasing process as “opaque and unconstitutional,” alleging it infringes upon the rights of sugarcane farmers who rely on the industry for their survival.
“What is being imposed on the hundreds of households who depend on cane production for a living is an attack on their rights,” the statement read. “In fact, it is an act of destruction against a whole community.”
The elected leaders argued that the leasing process violates constitutional mandates by neglecting meaningful public participation and excluding county governments, which are crucial stakeholders in agricultural and land matters, from decision-making.
“We, the elected leaders of Kisumu County, completely reject the leases and support the demand by farmers and other stakeholders that the sugar factories and assets be returned to the people of Kenya until there is a thorough consultation on the leasing process,” they declared.
Furthermore, the leaders asserted that the government has failed to protect the rights and welfare of current factory employees, both permanent and temporary, and cautioned that any union agreements made without proper representation are invalid.
“The sugar economy in Kisumu is a multi-billion-shilling industry. These factories support thousands of households. You cannot hand them over in secrecy and expect the people to accept it,” Nyikal stated.
The leaders are demanding that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture immediately engage in an open and comprehensive dialogue with regional leaders, sugarcane farmers, and factory workers to establish pre-leasing agreements that address their concerns.
They are also calling for the public disclosure of the confidential leasing documents associated with the current process, so they can be reviewed by the public, national, and county parliamentary bodies.
“The current people leading the leasing plans should step aside, and new ways for any future leasing should be discussed, including transparency, accountability, and full disclosure of all bid processes, events, and directions,” they emphasized.
The leaders warned that continued disregard for local voices will only exacerbate tensions in the sugar-producing region.
