This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On Friday night, unknown individuals set fire to 200 acres of the 700-acre sugarcane plantation at the Keyian Farmers Cooperative Society in Narok County, causing a Sh50 million loss.
The society's chairman, Phillip Saiyuah, described the incident as economic sabotage, noting that it was the second time such an attack had occurred at the Group Ranch.
According to Saiyuah, a similar arson attack in May 2016 had resulted in the burning down of 85 acres of sugarcane worth Sh13 million.
Trans Mara West Deputy County Commissioner Mohammed Hassan assured that security officers have launched investigations and increased surveillance to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Keyian Farmers Cooperative Society has a General Service Unit camp in the vicinity, and the government has also increased security at the ranch.
The farm manager, David Kuya, has spoken with the management of Transmara Sugar Company to harvest the remaining sugarcane and avoid further losses.
