Nzoia Sugar Company has resumed operations after closure for lack of mature cane that left over 67,000 sugarcane farmers in limbo.
During the reopening ceremony, Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka said, “I apologize that you had to go for 21 months without your source of income. It is not an easy thing considering the harsh economic times in the country. We hope that all will go well.”
Governor Lusaka urged stakeholders in the Nzoia Sugar Company to work together to stabilize the factory. He also asked politicians to set aside their differences and instead focus on finding lasting solutions for sugarcane farmers in the area.
On the other hand, Kanduyi MP John Makali stated, “Chairman, we don’t want to micromanage, you’re on the seat with your board… I hope that when we come back here, we will not hear claims that the management is the problem.”
Through our joint efforts with the National government,we envision a more stable, once giant milling plant that has been a source of livelihood to over 67,000 cane farmers and residents in the region.
Today I witnessed Nzoia Sugar factory roar back to life. #Nzoiasugar pic.twitter.com/ExPTnLCQv5
— Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka (@SpeakerKLusaka) December 9, 2023
Mumias Sugar reopening
This comes after Mumias Sugar Company resumed operations on December 1, 2023 with 787 former employees recalled.
Mumias Sugar’s Operations and Administration Manager Stephen Kihumba promised farmers that the miller would be paying them for supplying cane after seven days without any delays. Additionally, the price for a tonne of sugarcane was set at Ksh 6,050.
Sugar milling in the Western Kenya sugar belt was suspended from July 13 to November 30, 2023 for lack of mature cane.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) held a meeting with sugar millers in Kisumu on July 13, 2023 and agreed that factories cease operations until November 30 to allow cane to mature, as crushing immature cane causes poor quality of sugar.
The closure of millers in the western region of the country contributed to the high cost of sugar with a 2kg pack going for around Ksh 500.
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