Tensions flared at the Nzoia Sugar Company premises on Monday as Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leaders and allied political figures staged a massive protest against the recent leasing of the state-owned sugar mill to controversial businessman Jaswant Rai. What began as a peaceful gathering quickly turned into a fiery demonstration, reflecting growing political and public resistance to what protesters called “a backdoor deal that threatens the lifeline of Western Kenya’s sugar economy.”
Led by DAP-K party leader and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, the protest brought together a high-powered delegation of Western Kenya political heavyweights including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah, former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, Bungoma CEC Zachariah Baraza, vocal advocate Ndegwa Njiru, and former Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker Joshua Werunga.
“This is a fight for the soul of our people,” Wamalwa declared to a crowd of hundreds of sugarcane farmers and company workers who had gathered at the Nzoia Sugar headquarters. “We will not allow one man to monopolize the sugar industry and kill the dreams of our farmers.”
The leaders accused the government of pushing through a leasing agreement shrouded in secrecy, with little to no consultation with key stakeholders, including local farmers, employees, and county governments.
Governor Natembeya, who has repeatedly criticized the national government for neglecting the Western region’s economic interests, was blunt in his remarks.
“How can you lease a company of such strategic importance without involving the county leadership, the farmers who depend on it, or even Parliament? This is not development—it’s betrayal.”
Senator Malalah warned that the leasing of Nzoia Sugar to Jaswant Rai, who already controls several major sugar companies in Kenya, could result in the creation of a private sugar monopoly with dangerous implications for pricing, competition, and livelihoods in the region.
“This is economic colonization. Jaswant Rai cannot be allowed to control over 60% of Kenya’s sugar production. What happens to the small farmer, the factory worker, the regional economy?” Malalah asked.
Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, long considered a voice for farmers in the region, emphasized that the move violated public trust and would be challenged both in court and in the streets.
“We fought for this factory to remain in the hands of the people. Leasing it to Rai is the beginning of its death. We are going to court, but we’re also taking this battle to every village that depends on this factory,” he said.
Accompanied by Advocate Ndegwa Njiru, who vowed to file a legal petition in the coming days, the leaders said they would mobilize every available legal and civic avenue to reverse the leasing deal, calling it “fraudulent, unconstitutional, and against the public interest.”
Ndegwa Njiru claimed the leasing process lacked transparency and violated procurement laws.
“We will challenge this all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. Public assets cannot be auctioned off in hotel rooms and behind closed doors,” he said.
The protest also highlighted growing regional frustration over what residents and leaders see as systemic economic marginalization. Nzoia Sugar, one of the few remaining operational mills in Western Kenya, has long been a symbol of hope for thousands of sugarcane farmers. Its leasing to Rai, whose companies have faced past scrutiny over delayed payments to farmers and allegations of unfair trade practices, has been met with deep skepticism.
Joshua Werunga, former Speaker of the Trans Nzoia County Assembly, said the people of the region feel abandoned by a government that promised to revive the sugar sector.
“This is not just about Nzoia. This is about our dignity, our economy, and our future. We are saying no, and we are ready to resist,” he said.
The protest ended with a symbolic sealing of the factory gates and chants of “Nzoia ni yetu!” (Nzoia is ours!) echoing across the compound. Organizers vowed to escalate the resistance with more rallies and legal action in the days ahead.
The government has yet to officially respond to the protest, but sources within the Ministry of Agriculture have defended the leasing process, claiming it was done to revive struggling sugar companies through private sector investment.
However, the leaders dismissed that argument, saying local stakeholders were capable of managing and turning around Nzoia Sugar if given the opportunity and proper support.
“If the government truly wants to support the sugar sector, let them fund modernization and give farmers a voice—not hand over assets to cartels,” Wamalwa concluded.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.