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Poor management behind Nzoia Sugar Company woes – Ruto

The President said most privatised companies are ably paying farmers and workers.

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by JAMES MBAKA

News01 February 2024 - 13:47
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In Summary


  • The President said most privatised companies can pay their farmers and workers but the miller has failed to do so.
  • In August last year, Ruto made similar remarks and vowed to effect leadership changes as part of government's strategy to revamp the ailing cane miller. 
President William Ruto at a past event.

President William Ruto has yet again put the management of Nzoia Sugar Company on the spot over poor management of the miller.

Speaking on Thursday, Ruto said the management is to blame for the company's financial woes.

The President added that most privatised companies can pay their farmers and workers but the miller has failed to do so.

"I shall sit down with your leaders until we get the correct formula because most privatised companies can pay their farmers and workers meaning the main problem is with the poor management and not sugar cane farming," he said.

The President previously made similar remarks and vowed to effect leadership changes as part of government's strategy to revamp the ailing cane miller. 

While speaking at Kanduyi in Bungoma county on August 28, 2023, Ruto said it was unacceptable that the miller has an accrued debt of Sh53 billion despite various bailout plans while private millers were doing well.

"This time round we must get it right. We can't play another poker game here of bringing Kenyans' money and it gets lost," he said then.

On Thursday, the President warned that there are only three ways of dealing with cartels who engage in corruption.

The government is currently working on privatising struggling cane millers with the aim to making them profitable.

However, a section of leaders from Western Kenya have opposed the move saying it will rob their people their only economic lifeline.

On Thursday, a case was filed at the Milimani Law Courts challenging the same.

Meanwhile, a Kenyan has moved to court to oppose the impending leasing of the publicly-owned Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni and South Nyanza sugar companies through a long term lease.

Athanas Wafula Wamunyinyi has told court the public ought to have been considered and involved in the decision-making process before the tendering process was initiated.

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