Members of the County Assembly (MCA) from Mumias East, Mumias West and Matungu wards have issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the West Kenya Sugar company to vacate the Mumias sugar factory premises, threatening to lead protests if the demand is not met.
The MCAs argued that West Kenya (Kabras sugar) involvement under Jaswant Rai in operating the distillery and cogeneration plants, is hindering the revival of Mumias sugar company.
They insisted that a competitor should not manage search facilities, especially West Kenya, which they believe lacks the necessary raw materials derived from sugar by-products.
“West Kenya Sugar under Jaswant Rai is a competitor for Mumias Sugar, he is now coming in for the purpose of running the contingent and ethanol plant. It is impossible!” MCA Peter Olunya stated.
Supporting his colleague, Khalaba MCA Boniface Osanga aid Kabras Sugar lacks the required raw materials to open an ethanol plant, which are the by-products of sugar, terming the move outrageous.
“Raw materials are by-products of sugarcane. Why are they giving the go-ahead to someone who has no raw materials to open up an ethanol factory that requires the by-products of sugar?” Osanga questioned.
Ali Okomba an MCA, further reinforced their 24-hour demand, stating that they will mobilize sugarcane farmers to hold protests over the move, and stop the supply of sugarcane to the factory.
These disagreements come days after President Ruto launched KSh 150 million bonus program, aimed at incentivizing sugar farmers who supply cane to the fortified Mumias sugar factory, an initiative aimed towards the factory’s revival.
Even though the program was presented as a government-launched intervention, confusion arose regarding the true origin as the government later distanced itself from direct involvement in the bonus distribution, clarifying that it was the factory itself , rather than the state , overseeing the payment process.
“How a loss making company managed to offer bonus to its members is a miracle that should be written in the Guinness book of record,” George Diano said.
People are speculating that Mumias sugar company was discreetly sold to West Kenya sugar (Kabras) owner, Jaswant Rai who allegedly is a good friend to the president.
“How was one Miller, West Kenya (Kabras) allowed to import 180,000 MT ( 180m Kgs) of sugar? What was the criteria when it was one of the smallest millers? Who facilitated it to be the most dominant sugar supplier to all outlets? who made sure the other sugar millers collapsed?” Donald Korir added.
Earlier, Mumias Ease MP Peter Salasya had questioned the source of the bonus, stating that the National Assembly had not budgeted for the bonuses issued.
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