Elected leaders from Kisumu County have strongly opposed the ongoing leasing process of public sugar factories in the region, calling for immediate government intervention to halt what they describe as an opaque and unjustifiable handover of vital agricultural infrastructure.
The leaders, representing a county home to three key sugar mills: Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Miwani, have condemned the leasing process as an attack on hundreds of households that rely on sugar cane farming for their livelihood. They argue that this move threatens not only the economic stability of local farmers but also the broader multi-billion shilling sugar industry in Kisumu.
Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture released a statement confirming the completion of leasing agreements for these factories, swiftly followed by orders to facilitate the handover to private investors. However, Kisumu leaders reject this transition, demanding that factory assets be restored to public control until meaningful consultations are held with stakeholders.
“The government is pushing through these leases without transparency or proper engagement. Farmers, factory workers, and county officials have been sidelined in a process that should prioritize their interests,” Seme Mp James Nyikal stated.
Among their grievances, the leaders pointed to constitutional violations, arguing that the leasing process flouts public participation requirements. They also claim it disregards county government oversight in key areas such as agricultural policy, public land management, and economic infrastructure.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised over the impact on factory employees, with labor rights allegedly ignored in negotiations. The leaders warn that the selected bidders lack credibility and may entrench monopolies and inefficiencies in the sector.In response, the Kisumu representatives have outlined four key demands:which includes, That President William Ruto immediately halts the leasing process through an executive order, that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture convenes an open dialogue with regional leaders, sugar cane farmers, and factory workers to formulate a pre-leasing framework that addresses local concerns.That all leasing agreements and related documents be disclosed for public scrutiny and parliamentary evaluation at both national and county levels, that current officials overseeing the leasing process step aside to allow for a more transparent and accountable restructuring of any future lease agreements.
The statement was signed by prominent Kisumu leaders, including Hon. Dr. James Nyikal, Hon. Ruth Odinga, Hon. James Koyoo, Hon. Joshua Oron, Hon. Aduma Owuor, and Hon. Shakeel Shabir.
As pressure mounts, the leaders insist that public assets should not be handed over without rigorous scrutiny. They vow to continue fighting for Kisumu’s sugar industry, ensuring that farmers and factory workers are not sidelined in the decision-making process.
By Laban Shikokoti.
