The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers and the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAWU) have expressed their support for the government’s plan to lease four state-owned sugar factories—Nzoia, Chemilil, Muhoroni, and Sony, reported People Daily Digital.
The leasing process is being coordinated by a committee chaired by Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Jude Chesire.
The committee, along with the two unions, recently met with Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. During the meeting, Kagwe assured them that the views of farmers and workers would be taken into account before any final decisions are made.
Kagwe said the process is still ongoing and will not be completed until the concerns of all involved parties are addressed.
“I’ll be holding more meetings next week with area MPs, the sugar caucus, and the county governors from the regions where the factories are based. This isn’t something we’ll rush through—we must listen to local leaders, the unions, and the farmers,” Kagwe said.
He emphasized that no company will be allowed to take over the factories unless they meet the government’s standards, noting that discussions are still underway to ensure workers and farmers are protected once the leases are awarded.
Also present at the meeting was the Director General of Public Investments and Portfolio Management, Lawrence Kibet, who represented the National Treasury. He assured the unions and farmers that all outstanding payments owed to them would be settled.
