The Kenyan government has commenced the distribution of Ksh.300 million to farmers of Nzoia Sugar Factory, a knee-jerk to local farmers.
President William Ruto assured farmers of timely payments to farmers and workers by the new management at Nzoia, along with committing to annual payments ranging from Ksh.300 million to Ksh.500 million to the Bungoma county government.
Kenya has also allocated Ksh.500 million to Nzoia, Chemilil, Sony, and Muhoroni sugar factories to bolster operational capacities.
Earlier in January, sugarcane farmers from the Nyanza region urged the government to honor its commitment to settle Ksh 1.7 billion in outstanding payments owed to them. The government had previously promised to clear these arrears before the new year, as per officials from the Kenya Sugarcane Federation.
President Ruto reiterated the government’s pledge not to privatize sugar companies in the country, emphasizing the increase in funding to the four sugarcane factories to boost local production and reduce sugar imports. He attributed the financial challenges faced by public factories to poor management, highlighting the necessity for improved governance and operational
