A planned visit by Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to Nzoia Sugar Company was violently disrupted today, as police deployed teargas to disperse the governor and a crowd of concerned citizens demanding transparency over the company’s future.
In a strongly worded statement following the incident, Governor Natembeya condemned what he termed an “unprovoked show of force” against a peaceful mission aimed at uncovering the truth about the state and potential privatization of the struggling sugar mill.
“What happened today was not just an attack on our delegation, but an affront to the thousands of farmers and families whose lives are tied to Nzoia Sugar,” said Governor Natembeya. “The smell of teargas may sting, but it is sometimes the price we pay in the pursuit of justice, truth, and economic liberation for our people.”
The governor emphasized that Nzoia Sugar Company is far more than an industrial entity — it is the economic backbone of Western Kenya. The mill supports over 45,000 sugarcane farmers and sustains millions of livelihoods across the region.
“We will not stand by as decisions that affect an entire region’s economy are made behind closed doors,” Natembeya stated. “Any attempt to privatize or lease Nzoia Sugar must be done transparently and with full involvement of the people.”
Tensions have been building in recent weeks as reports circulate of possible privatization plans under the government’s broader parastatal reform agenda. Local leaders and farmers have expressed fears that such moves could lead to job losses, exploitation of farmers, and the erosion of local economic autonomy.
Governor Natembeya framed the disruption of the visit as a deliberate attempt to silence legitimate public concern. “We view the current push for privatization as a direct threat to our region’s economic stability and the future of sugarcane farming in Kenya,” he said. “We will not allow the interests of the few to override the well-being of the many.”
He vowed to continue pursuing the truth and to return to Nzoia Sugar Company “as many times as necessary,” adding: “We will not be intimidated. We will speak until we are heard.”
The incident is likely to intensify political pressure on the national government to clarify its intentions regarding Nzoia Sugar Company and to engage stakeholders in an open and consultative process.
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