Detectives have launched investigations into the botched takeover of the Miwani Sugar factory that led to the death of two people and left scores injured.
During the chaotic incident on Wednesday 2nd March 2022, a group of auctioneers arrived at the factory accompanied by a swarm of rowdy goons who shielded them as they stormed into offices and made away with crucial documents.
On getting wind of the raid, enraged local farmers immediately rushed to the scene and mounted a heavy resistance that shortly erupted into full-blown violence.
In the process, two vehicles that had been used to ferry the youth were set ablaze by the agitated residents.
Operating under Crossley Holdings Limited, the wealthy Chatter Sugar Family (the same faces behind Kibos Sugar Company) claims ownership of the 10,000 acres belonging to Miwani, which was placed under receivership since 2002.
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Dickson Omondi, the workers’ secretary, told journalists that the developments caught them by surprise since no notice of eviction had been served.
Reacting to the incident, Nyanza Regional Police boss Karanja Muiruri termed the attempts illegal and maintained that the rogue auctioneering company hired by the Chatthe family would be held fully responsible for how they attempted to implement the purported eviction.
The parcel of land [Registration Number 7545/3] where the company sits has been at the centre of controversy for nearly three decades and had been the subject of multiple criminal suits over its fraudulent transfer.
Testifying in a past court case in November 2018, Stanley Muriithi – a former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officer – revealed to the court, how Crossley Holdings Limited, Kibos Sugar Company chairman, Sukwinder Sigh Chatte, and a former magistrate orchestrated the illegal transfer of the plot worth over Sh2.3 billion shillings.
In October last year, the Chatthe family sought to restrain Miwani Sugar Company and four government institutions from laying claim to the land.
They also sought eviction of the miller’s workers and any other assets from the property, and an injunction stopping the parties from selling or leasing the parcel.
But Miwani Sugar, on its part, said the parcel was fraudulently acquired and described the auction as a sham.
The miller told the court that it obtained the parcel in December 2007 and its title was registered in 2008.
Miwani also claimed there was no proof of payment, and alleged that the fraudulent activities involved several people, including a sister company to Crossley Holdings; in this case, Kibos Sugar Company.
