Farmers and local communities in Luo Nyanza are increasingly expressing frustration over the ongoing privatization of key sugar mills, a move they claim leaves them sidelined while outsiders reap the benefits. Privatization of sugar mills in Western Kenya sparks anger among farmers who accuse the government of betraying them for political and business interests.
The recent leasing deals involving mills like Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and SONY have sparked outrage, with local residents accusing government insiders of orchestrating a process that prioritizes political loyalty over the welfare of the people.
As this privatization scheme unfolds, many fear that their livelihoods and the future of the sugar industry in the region are being sold off to the highest bidder. "Hi Nyakundi. It hurts when you are being robbed in broad daylight while a few people enjoy broad-based government to run their stomachs. Sugar industries within Luo Nyanza are going to be in the hands of outsiders. The current privatisation structure has left farmers and residents on shaky ground while those in the government enjoy the benefits. The much-anticipated leasing of government sugar mills has sadly unraveled into a grand scandal, with Nzoia Sugar leased to West Kenya, owned by the Rai Group, creating a near-monopoly that is strangling Butali Sugar; Chemelil Sugar handed to Kibos Sugar, led by Sukhwinder Singh (Raju), a figure deeply implicated in the Miwani land-grabbing saga; Muhoroni Sugar given to West Valley Sugar, a barely known company propped up by powerful regime insiders; and SONY Sugar awarded to Busia Sugar, a firm with no serious record in sugarcane farming, all under a process tightly controlled by Kalenjin leaders, including PS Agriculture Dr. Paul Rono, PS Treasury Dr. Chris Kiptoo, PS Lands Nixon Korir, Kenya Sugar Board acting CEO Jude Chesire, Receiver Manager of Muhoroni Harun Kirui, MD of Nzoia Hezron Kotut, and MD of Chemelil Moses Kolum, in a carefully choreographed scheme where Chemelil and Muhoroni were allocated to President William Ruto’s allies, while SONY and Nzoia were reserved for Raila Odinga’s side, exposing one of the most shameless and painful betrayals of farmers, workers, and the nation’s trust, with thousands of acres of public land now quietly slipping into private hands."