Western Kenya has since time immemorial been blessed with serene weather conditions which have made it an ideal region for agriculture to thrive. As a result of this, Mumias and Nzoia sugar companies were established and so far, have helped shape the economic landscape in the region. The two companies have been a source of livelihood in terms of job creation, infrastructural development and provision of social amenities in Western Kenya. However, over the years presence of incompetence and corrupts managers have derailed the companies, therefore hurting farmers. For instance, Mumias Sugar Company was on the brink of collapse only to be revived by Kenya Sugar Board. Sad enough, the issue has been politicized, such that politicians want to fulfill their political ambitions using the idea of reviving these giant sugar producing companies.
With time, the region has also seen a rise of new players in the sugar industry, these include Kabras Sugar company, West Kenya Sugar company and Butali sugar companies. Although farmers welcomed the move earlier on, frustrations and their woes have not been completely dealt with. The majority of these new companies came with good sugar cane prices only to scale down to the initial prices.
Scramble for sugarcane and wrangles between sugar millers have been a common trend as some companies have gone to court decrying the fact that their zones are being encroached by other millers. In addition, lives have been affected, scores injured and property destroyed due to wrangles. Upon inception of these, we as Kenyans expected to have positive impacts of these sugar-producing companies such as economical development, infrastructural development, improved living standards of sugar cane farmers, good pay for farmers by sugarcane millers and a hub of business and job opportunities.
This is an indication that we have an increase in sugarcane millers but sugarcane by acreage cannot meet the unrelenting increase by these sugar-producing companies. Why do we have many companies yet nothing has been done to increase sugarcane acreage in the region? Does it make any economic sense to have many companies yet the raw materials are scarce? Funny enough many farmers have had to shortchange their contracts with former companies in favor of the latter companies, decisions that have haunted them when their previous companies came demanding for sugarcane.
The region is well vested with an array of resources that should be economically invested in instead of placing our main interest in the sugar industry. We have maize, bananas, cassava, oil palm just to name a few that if well invested in, will have a positive economic impact in the region. Already we have devolution in progress that has started shaping our counties in terms of economic development. It is important for county leaders in the region in liaison with the national government to help identify other key areas, that if tapped and invested in well, will help improve infrastructure, living standards of citizens, avail social amenities and sail the region towards 2030 vision.