Miller accused of defrauding cane farmers

By LEONARD KORIR

Narok,Kenya:Trans Mara Sugar Company has been accused of using faulty weighbridges to deny farmers their rightful dues.

The firm risks having its licence revoked. Narok County Governor Samuel ole Tunai issued a stern warning to the firm following an outcry from farmers, who claimed the company was defrauding them.

Farmers have threatened to paralyse operations of the miller that is yet to establish its own nuclear sugarcane farms. 

The row stems from alleged adjustment of weighing machines at the miller’s weighbridge, which it was claimed was making farmers lose three tonnes of cane per truck.

The alleged loss was leaked by a staff at the weighbridge and confirmed by farmers, who are supplying their cane to the neighbouring Sony sugar factory. They claimed the miller was skimming more than Sh1 million per day through such dubious means. Tunai told the miller to ensure farmers were given what was rightfully theirs, noting it was a crime for any investor to defraud locals who are investing in the crop.

money in sugarcane

“I have heard what is going on at Trans Mara Sugar Company. I am taking up the matter with the seriousness it deserves because as governor, I can’t sit back and watch as farmers, who have put all their money into sugarcane farming are robbed,” warned Tunai.

Speaking in Kilgoris, Tunai threatened to take action, including advising Kenya Sugar Board, to revoke the miller’s licence if the problem is not be immediately addressed.

Mill director Shantilal Shah dismissed the claims of fraud, noting that officers from Weights and Measures Department had inspected the weighbridge and found it proper.

“As management, we have nothing to hide. We are ready at any time to have our weighing machines inspected by concerned authorities,” said Shah.