Two Members of Parliament from Bungoma have vowed to oppose Billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai’s control of the Nzoia Sugar factory after it was leased to his company for a period of 30 years.
Bumula MP Jack Nelson Wanami Wamboka and the outspoken Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga have asserted that they will not allow the investor to commence operations at the ailing miller, citing alleged foul play by the government.
Hon. Kalasinga questioned the government’s decision, referencing previous strong statements by the president about Rai, where he reportedly mentioned three options for him: leaving Kenya, going to heaven, or being jailed. Kalasinga wondered how Rai was “sanitized” to take over the factory when he was previously deemed a detrimental figure in the sugar sector.
He further called upon the former board chairman, Alfred Khang’ati, to provide clarity regarding the sale of scrap metal materials, alleging they were sold alongside imported materials under questionable circumstances and stating that the public deserves to know the truth.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka expressed his dismay at the seemingly rushed manner in which the company was leased. He reminded the public that the Kenya Kwanza government’s promises of a new factory and timely payment to farmers and workers are still fresh in voters’ minds.
He accused the Bungoma County leadership of failing to safeguard the community’s heritage, drawing a parallel to the sale of the Pan Paper factory under similar conditions, coincidentally to the same investor, after which, he claimed, nothing significant has materialized since.
Wamboka declared that they would not be intimidated by certain senior politicians in the County who have, in his view, self-proclaimed themselves as the arbiters of elected leaders’ political destinies. He emphasized that it is now up to the people to decide who to support.
Both MPs have pledged to support demonstrations until the lease agreement is reversed.
The investor, Jaswant Singh Rai, reportedly took control of the factory on a recent Saturday in a manner described as secretive, prompting the two legislators to demand a public disclosure of all entities that bidded for the company’s lease.
