Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged President William Ruto to shift the national government’s shareholding of the Mumias Sugar Company to the county government.
The governor stated last week in Mumias that the move would be a significant boost to the process of reviving the sugar mill, which has been dormant for 14 years.
Barasa’s deputy, Ayub Savula, called upon the President to honour his promise to residents to revive the factory during his campaign for the seat in June this year.
“We are calling upon the president to transfer the 20% shares it owns in Mumias Sugar Company to the county government of Kakamega, to aid in its full operationalization. Once the shares are passed to us as the county, we shall have representation on the board of the sugar firm, and have a say on decisions that will be made,” Savula said.
Barasa urged residents to plant more sugarcane to boost the county’s economy.
“I want to urge our farmers to go back to the farm and plant sugarcane. Currently, there is an agreement that will see every farmer earn Sh4,450 per ton once cane is delivered to the millers,” he said.
He said processing payments after selling cane will be done within a week.
“We have had discussions with the CEO of Mumias Sugar Company over employment, the Miller must give priority to the locals whenever employment opportunities emerge,” he added.
Discover the pulse of Western Kenya with WKT – your go-to digital media platform for real-time updates, rich perspectives, and powerful stories that matter.
