Kisumu: A planned strike by sugarcane plantation workers scheduled for this week has been put on hold after the government gave last-minute assurances on settling long-pending dues. While the decision has eased immediate tensions, workers’ concerns over unpaid salaries and benefits remain unresolved, reports Capital News.
The strike had been announced by the Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) after repeated delays in salary payments pushed many workers into financial difficulty.
KUSPAW Secretary General Francis Wangara said the union agreed to suspend the industrial action following talks with Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr Paul Rono in Eldoret on Sunday.
Wangara said the union had made it clear that it was willing to pause the strike if the government demonstrated genuine intent to pay workers and outline a clear path forward.
The dispute centres on delayed salaries and unpaid benefits owed to both serving and former workers in the sugar sector. According to the union, total arrears currently amount to Sh10.8 billion, covering unpaid wages and accumulated benefits.
Workers have been particularly affected by the timing of the delays, coming just days before Christmas, when families rely heavily on wages to cover basic expenses.
During the meeting with union leaders, government officials committed to releasing Sh1 billion as an initial payment before the festive season, with additional payments to be made in stages starting January 2026. Wangara said the understanding was that the first tranche would be followed by further releases aimed at gradually reducing the outstanding arrears.
However, as of the latest update from the union, there was no official confirmation that the promised funds had been released. Wangara cautioned that failure to act on the pledge could erode workers’ trust in the government’s handling of labour matters.
The Principal Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture have also assured the union that all outstanding dues will be cleared by June 30, 2026. Priority, they said, would be given to former employees who have yet to receive their terminal benefits.
Although the strike has been suspended for now, KUSPAW said it remains on alert and warned that any failure to honour the commitments could trigger fresh industrial action.
Wangara said the union would be forced to review its position if the agreed payments do not materialise.
The move has brought temporary relief to sugarcane workers ahead of Christmas, but the broader dispute remains unresolved, with billions of shillings in salary arrears and benefits still awaiting settlement.
