Protests broke out on Monday in Bungoma County as political leaders, sugarcane farmers, and workers voiced fierce opposition to the government’s decision to lease Nzoia Sugar Company to businessman Jaswant Rai.
The demonstrations, which started early in the day, quickly turned chaotic when anti-riot police blocked the protestors from accessing the factory. Teargas and warning shots were fired to disperse the crowd, leading to a temporary shutdown of the busy Webuye-Malava highway.
Leading the protest were Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, who condemned the leasing process as illegal and defiant of a court order issued in April halting the transaction.
“This is not just about sugar. It’s about justice and respecting the law,” said Wamalwa. “Ignoring a court ruling and forcing this lease down people’s throats is unacceptable.”
Governor Natembeya, who was at the forefront of the march, was momentarily affected by teargas during the standoff with police officers. The leaders accused the government of sidelining local stakeholders and ignoring concerns from farmers and factory workers.
Employees of Nzoia Sugar Company joined the protest to demand payment of salary arrears and job security. The company is reportedly struggling with debts and delayed payments, with workers owed billions in unpaid wages.
“We have worked for years without pay. Now they want to lease the factory without settling our dues?” said one factory worker. “This is our livelihood, and we cannot just watch it handed over without answers.”
The government has defended the lease plan as part of broader reforms to revive struggling state-owned sugar mills. President William Ruto recently announced that several sugar companies would be leased out to private investors, promising that all outstanding payments to farmers and workers would be cleared before the deals are finalized.
But on the ground, many remain unconvinced. Protesters insist that leasing Nzoia Sugar to Jaswant Rai, a powerful figure in Kenya’s sugar industry, will worsen the region’s economic woes and deepen existing mistrust.
