By Allan Kisia
Thirty sugarcane farmers' representatives have endorsed Kaplony Ltd to construct a mill at Nasewa, Busia.
The leaders said they endorsed Kaplony because of the amount it is paying farmers contracted to its facility, Kibos Sugar Mills, in Nyanza Province.
However, the leaders said they will welcome any investor awarded the license because the power to appoint a miller lies with Kenya Sugar Board (KSB).
In a recent meeting, Busia DC Mwiandi Gitonga appealed to farmers to accept the investor KSB picks.
On Thursday, the farmers said Kaplony should build the facility at the controversial Nasewa where the Government bought 800 acres for a sugar mill 20 years ago.
The leaders, led by their spokes persons, Fenswa Okwara of Lupida and Phillip Oduor of Kagonya areas in Ugenya said they made the decision after consulting widely.
Established
"We have established that of all the sugar producing companies operating in Western and Nyanza sugar belts, Kibos ays farmers very well," they said.
Kibos pays Sh4, 350 per tonne of cane delivered to the factory, making it the highest paying sugar mill.
Mumias Sugar Company pays Sh4, 185 while Butali Sugar Mills and West Kenya Sugar Company pay Sh3, 800 and Sh3, 700 per tonne.
Oduor said they are therefore confident that Kaplony will give them the best deal.
"For many years, the old sugar companies have been exploiting farmers by paying low rates for cane delivered and hoarding huge profits," he added.
West Kenya Sugar Company in Kakamega North District and Africa Polysat of Mauritius have also shown interest in setting up a mill at Nasewa.
The new mill, if put up, will be the fifth in Western Province.
The leaders, speaking after a meeting in Busia, said they took the bold step after witnessing groups purporting to represent farmers from Busia sugarcane belt.
When contacted Kaplony Managing Director Henminder Singh Saini said he is ready to put up a Sh5 billion factory.
