In a strongly worded statement, Kisumu County Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has condemned the recent approval of mass redundancies in Kenya’s state-owned sugar mills. The decision, allegedly made unilaterally by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, has sparked outrage and concern across sugar-producing counties, with the Governor’g Nyong’o describing it as “a recipe for chaos.”

The Governor expressed dismay at what he termed an “ill-advised and unilateral” move that undermines the very foundation of the sugar sector revival program.

“The leasing of these mills was never meant to dismantle the workforce,” he stated. “It was a strategy to breathe life into a struggling industry, enhance efficiency, and uplift the welfare of our people. Approving mass layoffs contradicts that promise and threatens to destabilize the sector we are striving to rebuild.”

What has further fueled the backlash is the timing of the decision. The National Government is yet to honor its commitment to pay outstanding dues and arrears owed to sugar factory workers, many of whom have endured years of financial hardship. “To terminate their employment before settling these debts is not only unjust,” the Governor said, “but morally reprehensible. It adds insult to injury.”

Equally troubling is the lack of consultation with county governments, whose economies are deeply intertwined with the sugar industry. The Governor emphasized that the sugar sector is a devolved function, and decisions affecting thousands of livelihoods should not be made from Nairobi without engaging local leadership. “This is a blatant disregard for the principles of cooperative governance enshrined in our Constitution,” he added.

In response, the Governor has called for three immediate actions: The withdrawal of the redundancy approval by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, the urgent release of funds by the National Treasury to settle all outstanding arrears owed to sugar factory workers, and a consultative meeting involving the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Governors, and workers’ representatives to chart a humane and sustainable path forward.

“The sugar sector is not just an economic pillar, it is a lifeline for countless families,” the Governor concluded. “Building it is like baking a national cake. Everyone deserves a fair slice.”