Tension has emerged within the Kakamega County Assembly following a heated debate over the involvement of West Kenya Sugar Company in the operations of Mumias Sugar Company. A significant rift has formed, especially between the representatives of Matungu Constituency and those from other wards, with some accusing their colleagues of using the issue to settle personal scores.
A recent media briefing in Kakamega Town saw a larger section of County Assembly Members, including Deputy Speaker Bernard Shitiambayi and Minority Leader David Ndakwa, voicing their dissatisfaction over the actions of some MCAs. These members have been outspoken in their opposition to the role of billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai and his West Kenya Sugar factory in taking over a section of Mumias Sugar.
On Monday, February 3, tension escalated as a group of MCAs, accompanied by locals, stormed Mumias Sugar Factory, staging protests in Mumias Town and Shibale. Their main objection was the involvement of Rai in the factory’s operations, accusing his presence of hindering the smooth functioning of the Mumias Sugar Company, which is currently under the management of Sarrai Group led by another billionaire, Sarbjit Singh Rai.
Etenje Ward MCA, Eddie Obwaka, expressed his frustration, claiming that Sarrai and Rai should not operate under one roof. He insisted that Sarrai be awarded the full contract to manage all three entities, and dismissed the role of Rai in the company’s revival, suggesting that any assistance from Rai could be more trouble than it is worth.
On the other hand, supporters of Rai’s takeover, including Chekalini Ward MCA Titus Kwoma, warned against letting personal disputes cloud the potential for Mumias Sugar to grow. Kwoma stated, “Mumias Sugar should be an international firm, not a village firm. These MCAs are just middlemen trying to benefit where they have no legitimate role.”
The supporters of Rai’s involvement in Mumias argue that the sugar company should not be seen as an ethnic project for the Wanga community, but rather as an economic initiative that would benefit the entire Kakamega County. The ongoing dispute stems from the long-standing rivalry between the two sugar tycoons, Jaswant Rai of West Kenya Sugar and Sarbjit Rai of Sarrai Group.
The current administration of Mumias Sugar Company has been criticized for its inability to fully run the factory, citing a lack of resources. As a result, West Kenya Sugar is poised to take over the distillery and co-generation plants, following a directive from President William Ruto on January 20, 2025.
