5,000 sugar workers strike over Ksh.10.8 billion unpaid dues

The workers vowed to paralyse operations, accusing the government of lacking goodwill in settling the dues.

Transport along the Webuye–Eldoret Highway was disrupted as workers staged protests at Nzoia Sugar Factory on Thursday.

The strike was called by the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers across four leased sugar factories, with employees demanding payment of benefits and salary arrears dating back three years.

"The arrears we are claiming amount to Ksh.10.8 billion for the entire sugar industry. They know very well because they sat down and did the calculations, then later started distorting the figures. They have all the records," said Mirriam Wanyama, a worker at Nzoia.

"Hardship, depression and emotional strain are hurting retirees because for a long time the government has been promising to pay them," said Johnstone Juma, a retiree from Nzoia.

Union Secretary General Francis Wangara alleged that some workers were being intimidated against participating in the strike, and urged factory lessees to help resolve the stalemate.

"If they can arrange with the government so that these arrears are sorted out and then the government compensates them, the better. These companies are not entirely private, they are still under government, so this is something that might work," said Francis Wangara, Secretary General of KUSPAW.

During the leasing process, the government committed to pay Ksh.10.8 billion to players in the sugar sector. The amount was to be paid in phases between October 2025 and June 2026.

However, workers at Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni and Sony sugar factories say they have yet to receive any payment.