The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers and the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAWU) have welcomed the government’s move to lease out four sugar factories, namely, Nzoia, Chemilil, Muhorono and Sony.
The process is being overseen by a committee led by Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire.
The committee and the two unions today met with Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe who reassured them that the leasing will not be done without the input of Farmers and Workers. CS. Sen. Kagwe says the leasing process is ongoing and will not be finalized before the issues facing both groups are resolved.
“Next week I have a series of meetings with various stakeholders including the Members of Parliament, the sugar caucus and the Governors of the areas where this factories are.
We cannot do this arbitrarily, there is leadership in that area that cannot be ignored, we cannot ignore the unions, we cannot ignore the farmers representatives.
Nobody will be allowed to take over the factories before they are properly vetted and can meet the conditions set by the government.
The negotiations are still going on to ensure that when we lease out the factories, the interests of farmers and workers are protected.” CS. Sen. Kagwe Stated.
During the meeting the National Treasury represented by National Treasury represented by the Director General, Public Investments and Portfolio Management Lawrence Kibet, moved to assure farmers and workers that all pay arrears will be paid. CS. Kagwe moved to reaffirm the government’s commitment to farmers and workers that all dues will be paid before the handover of the factories to the lessees who are still being vetted.
On their part the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers represented by its National Secretary General Kilion Osur Anyango welcomed the move to lease out the four factories. According to Anyango farmers had put their support behind leasing in their submissions to the Sugar Taskforce led by former Agriculture CS Peter Munya and then Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“We are ready for the factories to be leased out, farmers were very clear during the public participation stage that we do not want the factories to be privatized. From our experience with private sugar millers’ farmers are paying farmers on a weekly basis and without fail.
Leasing will enable farmers under the four factories to enjoy the same benefits. All we ask is for the regulator Kenya Sugar Board to standardize weighbridges to ensure fairness and transparency.
The process of leasing has been slowed by court cases filed by different parties, we ask that a Sugar Arbitration committee be put in place to settle such matters out of court,” Said Mr. Anyango.
On its part Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAWU) led by General Secretary Francis Wangara welcomed the government’s assurances on the payment of workers.
KUSPAWU also asked the government to ensure that the lessees who win the rights to take over the four factories honor the current Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) between the factories and unions.
“We welcome the government’s proposal to have a one-year period under which no employees will lose their jobs as the lessees assess the factories and determine their labor needs.
No employee should earn less than what they are earning under the current CBA.” Mr. Wangara said.
To further stabilize the sector CS. Sen. Kagwe confirmed that the ministry has finalized on the new regulations to operationalize the Sugar Act.
