This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
On July 2, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with Western Kenya leaders at Harambee House Office to discuss development in the region.
The meeting centered on the sugar sector, with the government committed to reviving it through the implementation of the sugar taskforce report.
According to the President, the government is working to fast-track the implementation of the report, which includes writing off debts owed by millers.
The Presidential taskforce, chaired by Agriculture CS Peter Munya and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, has proposed several intervention strategies, including debt write-off.
The government has already published sugar sector regulations and is strengthening the legal framework to effect reforms in the sector.
Other key leaders present at the meeting included Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga), and Patrick Khaemba (Trans-Nzoia).
Francis Atwoli from COTU and Devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa were also in attendance.
Following the meeting, President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded a 52-seater bus to the Nzoia Sugar Company Chairman Joash Wamang'oli, which will be used by the Nzoia Sugar Football Club for sporting activities.
The President also donated KES 2 million to the team, which is sponsored by the Sugar miller.
