Let farmers benefit: CS Kagwe slams critics of sugar factories’ lease deals

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on those opposing the leasing of four State-owned sugar factories to private millers to embrace the move to allow farmers to receive their benefits.

The four mills - Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni - will be leased for 30 years to West Kenya Sugar Company, Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries, Busia Sugar Industry, and West Valley Sugar Company, respectively.

Speaking after meeting with a section of Governors in Mombasa on Thursday, CS Kagwe noted that those opposing the move are only seeking to frustrate the process of transforming the ailing sugar sector.

He argued that the critics did not take part in the procurement process of leasing the sugar factories, neither did they oppose it during the public participation stages.

"Public consultations and hearings were held, including areas in Kisumu. There was a team going round to ask them what their view was. The ones complaining had signed agreeing to sell. There are times we need to deal with these things on an honest basis," Kagwe noted.

"If the procurement process was not transparent, why is it that those who did not win the tenders are not complaining."

He maintained that, as a means of upholding transparency, the details of the leasing agreements will be made public. 

"We are going to upload all the information related to this in Parliament and also on the Ministry's website so that people can see and understand," he added.

On his part, Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi censured those opposing the move, noting that privatizing the mills is the only way to resuscitate them.

"We said as a council, we support the leasing of public sugar companies. We see privately run sugar companies making huge profits. If we have appreciated that the private management of those companies is what will turn them around, why block government from doing it?" Posed the Wajir Governor.

Echoing his remarks, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said that the matter is simply being politicized and farmers should be allowed to benefit from the pivotal deal.

This comes amid protests over the Nzoia mill takeover led by Western region leaders, among them; Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

The leaders argue that the leasing was illegal and forceful, crippling a key regional economic lifeline despite a court order issued on April 23 halting the lease of the State-owned miller to controversial businessman Jaswant Rai.

They vowed to maintain their clamor, insisting that the lease was unlawful and would devastate the region’s already struggling sugar sector.