MPs, Senators Threaten To Lead Protests After Ruto’s Decree
A group of Western Kenya Members of Parliament and Senators have threatened to organize protests if the national government does not prevent the leasing of the Nzoia sugar mill.
In a news briefing, Butere politician Tindi Mwale stated that regional leaders will use ‘all instruments’ to protest the leasing, claiming that the procurement process was not transparent.
The MP further stated that MPs in the regions intend to take the case to court to prevent the lease process.
“We will use all mechanisms, even if it is to go to protests or to the courts. And we also want to know why there was a court order and the court order was not respected,” Mwale stated.
Tindi Mwale: We condemn the hostile take over of the Nzoia Sugar Company and we shall fight for the right process pic.twitter.com/djovxisTlJ
— tv47ke (@Tv47Newske) May 14, 2025
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, on the other hand, described the sugar factory lease as ‘daylight robbery’.
Sifuna emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed about the tendering and leasing processes.
“It is difficult for me to accept that despite the tender being internationally announced, it is only two families that are able to run a sugar factory, which are from Kenya,” Sifuna stated.
Furthermore, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah alleged that some of the people who have been leasing the sugar factories are incompetent and will prevent the facility from working.
Senator Omtatah has stated that he is a contractor at the sugar mill.
“Everybody was ambushed. I’m a contractor at Nzoia, and I transport cane for them, and still they are shutting down the company without telling me because my tractor drivers are the ones who alerted me that the ownership of the factory has changed,” Omtatah stated.
"President Ruto is a sugar baron, and we are going to stop him!" OkiyaOmtatah lectures Ruto on the shady transfer of Nzoia Sugar Company to investor Rai pic.twitter.com/Q1lMZ8Es8J
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) May 14, 2025
The Nzoia Sugar Factory is one of four factories that the government is leasing in an effort to revitalize the country’s sugar industry.
Nzoia Sugar Company has already been granted to West Kenya Sugar Company, Chemilil to Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries, Sony Sugar to Busia Sugar Industry Ltd, and Muhoroni to West Valley Sugar Company.
PRIVATISING SUGAR COMPANIES
— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) May 9, 2025
Four state-owned millers leased
Government to settle salary arrears and statutory deductions
Nzoia leased to West Kenya Sugar Company
Chemilil to be managed by Kibos Sugar
Sony placed under Busia Sugar Industry
Muhoroni leased to West Valley… pic.twitter.com/wCWnn4ZsJ6
Mutahi Kagwe, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, disputed that the government had sold the plants to private investors during a speech in Parliament on Tuesday, May 13.
He also claimed that the lease procedure was transparent.
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The CS denied accusations that the firms’ lease was opaque, claiming that all partners in the sugar mills were participating.
Kagwe’s statements echo worries raised by other Western region politicians, including governors.
“No sugar factory has been sold. It’s leasing that has been done, and Parliament approved the whole process,” the CS said.
“I dismiss assertions that the process was opaque, considering all stakeholders were involved.”
MPs, Senators Threaten To Lead Protests After Ruto’s Decree
