The government has released KSh 600 million in long-overdue arrears owed to employees of Nzoia Sugar Company and other Sugar Companies. The announcement, made by Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli during a public engagement forum at Makuselwa Bridge in Wabukhonyi Webuye East signals a turning point in the revitalization of the sugar sector.
“For over 20 months, our people toiled without pay, abandoned and overlooked. Today marks a new chapter. This release is more than just money; it’s about restoring dignity to those who have carried this industry on their backs.” Said Wakoli
The KSh 600 million payout is the first critical step in a broader strategy to reform and revitalize the sugar industry, an industry that has, for decades, been a lifeline for thousands of families across the region.
The Senator reaffirmed their commitment to push for even more government support, emphasizing that the new model will empower not just investors, but most importantly, the farmers and workers who are the backbone of the industry.
“The Sugar Act will transform the entire value chain. For the first time, the farmer will be at the center not at the bottom,” he added
The leasing program, a cornerstone of the sugar sector reforms, was described as “non-negotiable,” with assurances that it will restore operational systems, enforce accountability, and breathe new life into the once-vibrant sugar belt.
“Let the naysayers wait and watch. This time, the people come first, and there’s no turning back.”
