For years, farmers contracted by Nzoia Sugar remained deeply loyal to the company, often waiting months or even years for payment without seeking alternative millers. Supplying cane elsewhere was seen as betrayal. However, this loyalty is now shifting following the leasing of Nzoia Sugar to West Kenya Sugar Company for 30 years.
Farmers such as Rose Waswa from Bukembe, Bungoma, see this change as a new dawn. Having grown sugarcane for over 20 years, Waswa shared how delays in payments from Nzoia Sugar disrupted her family, including forcing two of her children to drop out of school due to unpaid fees. She now looks forward to prompt weekly payments under West Kenya Sugar’s management, which is known for its reliable farmer compensation.
Other farmers like Godfrey Barasa and John Wekesa echoed Waswa’s optimism. They accused politicians opposing the lease of ignoring farmers’ suffering and using the miller for political mileage. The farmers believe those trying to resist the change want the poverty-inducing status quo to persist.
Bukembe East MCA Caleb Wanjala condemned political incitement and affirmed his community wants peace and payment—not politics. Governor Ken Lusaka assured farmers that payments for cane supplied last week would be made within the week, adding that the results would silence critics.
As part of its sugar sector reforms, the national government has leased Nzoia Sugar to a private operator and pledged to settle all outstanding dues to farmers and workers. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe confirmed that the ministry will handle unpaid staff arrears and statutory deductions up to the handover date, with Sh1 billion allocated—Sh600 million for arrears and Sh400 million for salaries starting May 2025.
