This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
Thursday, June 24, 2021, marked a tense day at Nzoia Sugar Company as workers and farmers blocked suspended managing director Michael Wanjala Makokha from accessing the factory premises.
The move came despite a court order halting Makokha's suspension until a case he filed is heard and determined.
On June 7, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya had suspended Makokha for three months following numerous complaints from the miller's stakeholders.
However, Makokha rushed to court and obtained a temporary reprieve, which allowed him to return to the factory.
But his return was short-lived as workers and farmers, armed with stones and sticks, blocked the road leading to the factory, claiming that Makokha was no longer wanted.
They accused him of running down the miller during his two-year tenure, citing a significant increase in debts owed to farmers from Sh160 million to Sh700 million.
Workers' secretary general Bernard Wanyonyi alleged that Makokha's tenure was marked by unpaid salaries, with some workers going without pay for as many as ten months.
"He should get clearance from his employer before coming here but not through the courts," Wanyonyi said.
Farmer representative Kennedy Kibeti insisted that Makokha should let Chrispine Omondi, the acting managing director appointed by CS Munya, do his job.
Makokha's lawyer, Bryan Khaemba, argued that the suspension was illegal, as only the board of management has the power to fire him.
He also called on politicians to refrain from inciting local residents against the factory's management.
Makokha, however, assured farmers and stakeholders that he was back in office to steer the company to greater heights.
"As you all know, I am a respecter of the law and as the court has ordered, I am back in office ready to continue with the good work I have been doing of taking Nzoia Sugar ahead," he said.
