This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 24, 2019, a truck with Ugandan registration plates was spotted near Nambale Boys High School.
Busia Sugar Industry (BSI) has denied allegations of smuggling sugarcane from Uganda, stating that it sources raw materials from local farmers.
Public Relations Officer Stephen Siachire said the firm contracts farmers from border areas, which may have led to the confusion.
“The allegation by some individuals that we are smuggling sugarcane could have resulted from the sight of our tractors and other private trucks contracted by BSI to ferry cane from border areas on the Kenyan side,” stated the firm.
Representatives of farmers in the region had raised concerns about the sugar factory's alleged illegal importation of raw materials from Uganda.
Mr. Peter Odima, National General Secretary of the Kenya Association of Sugarcane and Allied Product, and Lambert Ogochi, Busia Outgrowers Company director, called for investigations.
“We suspect the due process is not being followed by the miller when bringing in the sugarcane,” said Odima.
