The national government has been urged not to lease Nzoia Sugar Company until the needs of the workers and sugarcane farmers have been addressed. Speaking to the media at the factory, Nzoia Sugar farmers and workers association chairman Mcdonald Wamocho warned politicians from Western region and specifically Bungoma County to stop supporting the leasing plan, noting it will have adverse effects on the workers and cane farmers, whose welfare hasn’t been prioritized.
Wamocho said workers who were working at Panpaper are now suffering after the government sold the paper mill at a throw away price and they won’t allow Nzoia Sugar Company to go in the same direction. He said some farmers haven’t been paid their dues for a long time and the terms of payment haven’t been captured in the leasing plans. He said a section of politicians are working hard to ensure he is ousted as the association chairman so that they proceed with underhand plans and see through the factory’s leasing.
However, he pointed out that he is ready to go to Court to block the whole process. He affirmed his support for the Company’s leadership led by MD Michael Wanjala. On his part, Bukembe location chief Mr Martin Kwata differed with Wamocho, saying the factory is the government’s property and the state has the prerogative to know what to do with the mill to best benefit workers and farmers.
He accused politicians of not telling residents the whole truth about the deal but have opted to politicize the process. The MD Michael Wanjala said as much as the Company is still facing tough times, it’s up to the task and called for political goodwill from County leaders over the same.