Sugar workers' strike called off, pending arrears to be paid in phases

Chaired by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, the meeting held at Kilimo House on Monday okayed the release of Ksh.1 billion within the next two weeks to ease the immediate hardships faced by workers.

Workers downed their tools on January 29, 2026, demanding payment of pending salaries and accrued benefits totalling Ksh.10.8 billion.

The meeting addressed the grievances, as the leaders agreed that the remaining arrears will be settled through the Supplementary Budget and

subsequent budgets, pending formal approval from the Parliament.

"Payments will continue to be made in phases, covering salary arrears, redundancy dues, pensions and other terminal benefits," read a statement from CS Kagwe.

CS Kagwe cited fiscal constraints have long dogged the sugar industry, saying they arose from the administration's transition and not from the leasing of four state-owned factories to private millers.

The sugar mills include Muhoroni, Nzoia, Sony and Chemelil.

“As Government, we accept responsibility for these debts. The arrears are owed by the Government, not private millers. We will push Parliament hard to resolve this matter conclusively through the Supplementary Budget so that the sugar sector is stabilized once and for all,” Kagwe added.

The strike was called by KUSPAW across four leased sugar factories, with employees demanding payment of benefits and salary arrears dating back three years.

During the leasing process, the government committed to pay the pending amount to players in the sugar sector. The amount was to be paid in phases between October 2025 and June 2026.

CS Kagwe has appealed to Parliament — particularly MPs from sugar-growing regions — to support the allocation of funds, cautioning that industrial action targeting private lessees does not resolve Government-owed obligations.

The meeting was also attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) CEO Jude Chesire, Sugar Transition Committee Chair Harun Khator, and KUSPAW officials led by General Secretary Francis Wangara.