Gov Nyong’o opposes Ruto’s privatisation of Chemelil, Muhoroni Sugar companies, calls it ‘daylight robbery’
Gov Nyong’o opposes Ruto's privatisation of Chemelil, Muhoroni Sugar companies, calls it ‘daylight robbery’
Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o has taken a fresh swipe at the government as he strongly condemned the privatisation of Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories.
In a scathing statement, the county boss expressed outrage over what he described as an ‘economic’ coup against farmers and the people of western Kenya.
According to Nyong’o, the privatisation process was secretive and also rigged with several other discrepancies, like the exclusion of key stakeholders.
“We are dismayed to learn that the planned leasing of Chemelil Sugar Factory and Muhoroni Sugar Factory has been fast-tracked and finalised under a cloak of secrecy,” Governor Nyong’o said.
At the start of May, two major unions representing farmers and workers endorsed the government’s plan to lease out four state-owned sugar companies – Nzoia, Chemilil, Muhoroni, and Sony.
The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers and the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAWU) welcomed the move, as Farmers’ Federation Secretary General Kilion Osur Anyango insisted privatisation was largely meant to benefit farmers.
However, in a rejoinder, Nyong’o claimed that some of the companies involved in the leasing process were fairly young in the sugar industry, raising concerns about their capacity and motives.
The governor, in his statement, also decried what he termed as criminal activity since one of the companies involved in the privatisation process was allegedly involved in a land dispute.
“This is nothing short of daylight robbery, an economic coup against over 60,000 farmers involving 15,000 hectares of farmland, essential public offices, churches, mosques, homes, and renowned learning institutions,” the governor declared.
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In his statement, Nyong’o also highlighted irregularities in the current privatisation process, including a lack of public participation despite legal requirements, no proof of value for money as required by Article 227 of the Constitution and alleged manipulation of land records to facilitate questionable transfers.
Nyong’o’s opposition to the privatisation efforts dates back to 2016, when, as Senator, he filed a petition with the late Jakoyo Midiwo to stop the sale of five sugar mills in western Kenya.
The government first announced its plan to lease the four sugar factories to private investors in October 2023 in a bid to revive the country’s sugar sector.
Currently, the state owns a 98.8 percent stake in the Sony factory, a 97.93 percent stake in Nzoia, a 96.22 percent stake in Chemelil, and an 82.8 percent stake in the Muhoroni factory.
The ministry had given interested investors until March 21, 2025, to submit their bids, after which evaluation shall take place, and eventually, those successful shall be announced.
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