President William Ruto during the issuance of bonuses for sugarcane farmers in Mumias, Kakamega county/PCS
The sugar politics that President William Ruto has begun in Western is a desperate move to win over the region.
We must, however, agree that it cannot replace the Mt Kenya vote. As far as he has played his strategy, he has a lot of work to do.
We saw the President unveil bonus for sugar farmers, albeit generating a huge debate on the source of the same.
The best way is to amend the Sugar Act, 2024, which came into force recently, to compel even private companies that are making a profit to pay bonuses to farmers who supply them with cane.
That will make sense; more than take a step that may end up being counterproductive.
The sugar politics has buried the careers of many politicians in the sugar-growing areas. In eyeing Western as a base to replace the vote-rich Mt Kenya bloc, President Ruto has made a mistake.
Western, as it is, cannot replace the votes from Mt Kenya. Many of the MPs are already saying they want to drop this campaign of bonuses.
The sugar politics may not assist him as much, particularly in Western.
The industry is on its knees. For it to translate into votes, you need to revive the major mills in the region.
Mumias and Nzoia Sugar have been used as a carrot to get the Western vote. It has always been like that.
Looking at the political players from Western who are in Ruto's camp, they are not doing much to help the President on the ground.
Recently, news of the merger between UDA and ANC was not received well by the locals. They were uncomfortable that the party was folded without adequate participation of the bases.
They believe that Musalia Mudavadi unilaterally made a decision to fold the party. Focus on the sugar sector is yet to endear much to the people and translate the same into popular support for the incumbent.
It is yet to do much in terms of converting the region into a vote basket for President Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.
Political commentator spoke to Star
