Wetang’ula opposes plans to sell Nzoia sugar to local sugar factory

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula. [File, Standard]

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula has taken exception to plans by the State to sell ailing Nzoia Sugar Company to a local sugar dealer.

According to Mr Wetang’ula (pictured), the Privatisation Commission wants to sell the firm to a private sugar factory in Western Kenya. He says the move was ill advised and cane farmers stand to lose.

“The Privatisation Commission told us they were looking for a strategic partner to buy Nzoia Sugar and now they are telling us that they have found a successful local miller to buy Nzoia Sugar. The move is suspect and Bungoma leaders are against any such plans,” said Wetang’ula.

 The Senate Agriculture Committee vice chairman said the commission wanted to sell more than 12,000 acres of nucleus to the local investor, adding that the land was owned by cane farmers and did belong to Nzoia Sugar Company. He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to honour a Sh300 million pledge he gave the cash strapped factory.

Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi vowed to ensure no one takes over the sugar miller “until such a time proper procedure is followed.”