Mumias Sugar Company has come under scathing attack from leaders in Kakamega County for allegedly

perpetrating  rampant corruption and exploitation of farmers through shoddy deals.

Leaders now want an overhaul of the entire management’s top echelon to pave way for an honest and competent team.

The attacks have come barely a month after a probe team chaired by Dan Wameyo sent on compulsory leave the company’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Kebati and Commercial director Paul Turgor for poor management of the mill and allowing packaging of imported sugar with the company’s branded polythene bags.

 

LOCAL PERSON

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Senator Boni Khalwale kept aside their political differences to condemn the management of the company. The issue was first raised by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who said more heads will start rolling at MSC.

Khalwale said after the probe team completes its work, a local person should be appointed to lead the company.

“If we cannot get a local person to lead the company then we can hire Masinde Muliro University VC Fredrick Otieno who has studied sugar technology,’’ said Khalwale.

He said that if that will be disputed then he will shop for an expert he knows from South Africa to head the company.

            

SWITCH PRODUCTION

On his part, Oparanya said what was happening at MSC regarding farmers payment was not being carried out at other sugar mills in the region.

“It is only in Mumias we hear a farmer is left with nothing after toiling to plant sugarcane and waiting for a month to get payment,’’ noted the governor.

Oparanya says, through a programme he has started to help sugarcane farmers, it will be mandatory for cane to be weighed on the farm before being ferried to the company. The governor also expressed concern over the government plan to switch sugarcane production from western Kenya to Coast.

Washiali said they won’t spare anyone involved in corruption at MSC.

“We are going to call Mr Kebati and question him about the rackets that have ripped off the company millions of shillings in shoddy deals,’’ he said.