Bitter Christmas as Sh2.6 billion sugarcane pay delayed

Fredrick Okongo attend to his sugarcane on his farm in Asembo, Siaya county. [File, Standard]

Sugarcane farmers will have nothing to celebrate about this Christmas after the government failed to release Sh2.6 billion to clear their arrears.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and his Treasury counterpart Henry Rotich to make the funds available before Christmas.

Most framers had anticipated to treat the families and save some money to pay school fees for their children.

Mr Kiunjuri who was expected to oversee the payment has already proceeded to holiday.

James Mangeni, a farmer from Bukhayo, is angry after waiting for the funds for the last two months to no avail. After the head of state made the announcement, Ministry of Agriculture officials toured Busia county in November to meet the farmers.

Reduce the price

Farmers' bank details and photocopy of their identification cards were taken with a promise that money will be in their accounts by December 18.

Mr Mangeni has been traveling to Busia town daily to check whether the money has been deposited in his account.

“I had promised my family that this time round our Christmas will be a different one because the government would pay me some good money to be able to do some shopping and save some for school fee next year,” he said.

The moribund Mumias Sugar Company owes him more than Sh300,000 for cane delivery.

“Why is the government taking us for a ride? They took our bank details and photocopies of IDs with the promise that we would be paid by December 18. Unfortunately until now we are yet to be paid,” Mangeni lamented.

He wants the Agriculture CS to explain why the funds are yet to be released.

“It was an executive order issued by the president so we expected the minister to comply and pay us on time,” Mangeni said.

Samuel Chesa another farmer said: “It is difficult to comprehend that until now I have not received the cash which I intended to treat my family to a good Christmas.” he said. He expected to receive at least Sh170,000 for cane delivery to Mumias Sugar Company.

The Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (KNFSF) chairman Ibrahim Juma appealed to Kiunjuri to say when payment will be effected.

“After the president issued that directive that all debts owed to farmers should be cleared the Ministry of Agriculture responded by telling farmers that they will be paid before Christmas, but that has not been implemented,” said Mr Juma. He demanded that names of farmers to receive payment be displayed at the millers officers to ensure transparency.

Farmers also protested the move by the millers to reduce the price of the sugarcane from Sh4,200 to a paltry Sh3,400.

Jane Akinyi said the cost of seed-cane, transportation and leasing of land to plant the crop was high and the low prices will hurt farmers.

“Farmers were not consulted before millers lowered the price of sugarcane we are going to resist such plans,” Ms Akinyi said.

She called on the National Price Committee come up with new prices.