Ruto Fires Gov’t Officials, Causes Massive Protests Countywide
Three important sugar firm board chairs had their appointments revoked as the drama surrounding Kenya’s sugar sector took a new turn on Monday, May 12.
President William Ruto has terminated the tenures of John Nyambok (Chemelil Sugar), Alfred Khang’ati (Nzoia Sugar), and Jared Opiyo (South Nyanza Sugar) with immediate effect, amidst a high-stakes reform of Kenya’s sugar sector.
According to a gazette notification, at least 20 other board members from the three firms have lost their seats as a result of the shake-up.
President Ruto Revokes Appointments of John Nyambok (Chemelil), Alfred Khang’ati (Nzoia) and Jared Opiyo (Sony) as Chairpersons of State-Owned Sugar Companies. pic.twitter.com/IvnvQfBg2S
— Bizna Kenya (@biznakenya) May 12, 2025
Notably, the move occurred barely two years after former Awendo MP Jared Odhiambo Opiyo and his counterpart John Nyambok were appointed to three-year terms.
Jared Opiyo was appointed to lead South Nyanza Sugar’s board in 2023, while Nyambok took over at Chemelil Sugar. Khang’ati, a former Kanduyi MP, has been assigned to Nzoia Sugar.
The revocations came after private investors took control Chemelil and Muhoroni Sugar Companies, a move that has sparked opposition from a number of stakeholders.
Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe stated last Friday that Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited was awarded the lease following a very competitive bidding process.
The leasing arrangement replaced an earlier privatisation scheme that the government was forced to abandon due to public outcry.
While the four factories have since been handed over to the companies for management for 30 years, there is a wave of uncertainty about whether the agreement will suffice.
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This is after protests emerged in Bungoma on Monday as residents protested Nzoia Sugar Company’s privatisation.
The Journey to Nzoia Sugar Company to find the truth was disrupted by police officers who threw tear gas canisters at us and the protestors who had accompanied us to the factory.
— George Natembeya (@GeorgeNatembeya) May 12, 2025
We must get to the bottom of this for the sake of our people.
The Nzoia Sugar Company is a… pic.twitter.com/Ij7NSeFGpe
During the turmoil, police prevented Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, many Members of Parliament, and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa from entering the Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma.
A barricade was set up at Matisi Bridge in Bungoma to prevent the governor and his entourage from entering the company.
During a church service in his county on Sunday, Governor Natembeya promised to march to the company and demand to know why it and PanPaper Mills had been sold.
Ruto Fires Gov’t Officials, Causes Massive Protests Countywide
