Call to close miller condemned

By KENNEDY OKWACH

Leaders from western Kenya have condemned a call to revoke operating licence issued to Butali Sugar factory as misinformed and against the law.

They said the move would affect millions of residents who depend on sugarcane farming as a source of livelihoods.

Led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, they said individuals who seek to monopolise the sugarcane industry in the region are spearheading the move.

“If they close the miller, farmers will be left to sell their cane to one company and this will increase exploitation of farmers. Many people depend on this company for jobs and livelihood. We don’t want our sons to become jobless and hopeless,” said Khalwale.

“The government has reiterated its mission of creating employment of our youth, what will happen to hundreds of youths employed to the company if its closed down?” he said.

Speaking at Butali market in Kakamega County, the senator wondered why government gave the miller a grant to develop infrastructure in its catchment area if it was deemed to be operating illegally.

“The deputy President personally gave the grant for construction of roads, expansion of sugar catchment areas and improvement of infrastructure. Is the deputy president mad enough to give a governmental grant to an illegal company... someone is out there to frustrate us,” he said.

Former Minister and Malava MP Soita Shitanda said Kenya Sugar Board is the only institution allowed to issue or revoke a miller’s licence.

He said those behind the move will fail because Kenya Sugar Board inspected the company and issued the licence as mandated by law.

“Former President Mwai Kibaki was the one who laid the foundation stone of the company and former Prime minister Raila Odinga handed over the licence to the company, were they operating within the law or not?” he asked.

Lugari MP Ayub savula, who is also a member of the parliamentary committee on agriculture, said the committee has not revoked a licence of any miller. He said the problem facing the sugarcane industry was unwillingness of sugar board to enforce laws as stipulated in the Kenya Sugar Act of 2001.