A major breakthrough has been reached between Kipchimchim Group and residents of the Koguta area, paving the way for peaceful coexistence and renewed confidence in the region’s sugar industry.
The agreement, involving the group’s operations at West Valley Sugar Company and Muhoroni Sugar Company 2025 Ltd, was reached during a high-level meeting convened by the group chairman Alfred Soi and mediated by Vitalis Komudho.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders and opinion leaders from the Koguta clan, who unanimously agreed to work collaboratively with the companies as efforts continue to resolve long-standing land ownership disputes.
The dialogue followed weeks of tension and is being viewed as a turning point, with both sides committing to maintain cooperation in farming activities while awaiting a structured resolution to contested land.
Community leader David Juma urged the company’s management to uphold professionalism and exercise restraint.
He raised concerns over previous incidents involving allegedly hostile workers armed with crude weapons, which resulted in injuries among local residents.
Juma also called for the involvement of government surveyors to provide an impartial assessment and harmonization of disputed land, a proposal that received broad support.
In a conciliatory gesture, Soi and his team expressed regret over recent confrontations.
The company pledged to cover medical expenses for those injured and to meet funeral costs for George Chimbole, who died during the clashes involving factory employees.
Komudho assured residents that he would engage the county government on issues of compensation and resettlement for affected members of the Koguta clan.
He urged leaders and residents alike to support the initiative, emphasizing that unity and goodwill are key to achieving lasting solutions.
He noted that collective efforts would not only accelerate justice for affected families but also create a stable environment for farming and investment to thrive.
The agreement marks a significant step toward rebuilding trust between the sugar companies and the local community, with both sides expressing optimism that the renewed partnership will enhance stability, safeguard livelihoods, and revive the region’s sugar sector.
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