Chemelil runs aground as farmers demand Sh210m

Workers at Chemelil Sugar Company demonstrate at Chemelil town over delayed payment. [Collins Oduor/Standard]

Operations at Chemelil Sugar Company have been grounded since Wednesday as farmers protested delayed payments.

The farmers are demanding Sh210 million. The money is part of a Sh2.7 billion the Government pledged to give cane farmers last year. The pledge was made by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The farmers who supply the company claim other millers have paid what they owe their cane suppliers. They are wondering why Treasury has not released their money.

They now claim Chemelil might not have submitted their names to State auditors when other millers did so.

Through their spokesman Samuel Bonyo, the farmers said they would sustain the shut down until they are paid.

“The management has been quiet while other factories are receiving money and paying farmers. So we stopped cane supply and we will not resume before money is wired to our accounts,” said Mr Bonyo.

Chemelil Board Chairman Ezekiel Buzeki said he was in Nairobi to make a follow up of the matter and would issue a report when he returns.