Sugarcane farmers now demand immediate payment of 317 million shillings owed to them by South Nyanza Sugar Company.
This comes after a stakeholders meeting held earlier this week in the company’s precincts, to resolve a notice of abstinence to deliver cane by the growers.
The more than 2000 farmers say that payment of their dues must be honoured before the full handing over of the plant to an investor who has won a government offer to lease the company for 30 years.
In their demand notice to get their dues, the cane growers planned to suspend supplying the miller with sugarcane until they are paid what the company owes.
The meeting, which brought together representatives of the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers and the management of the Sony Sugar Company, was held to address the growing pressure from farmers over delayed payments for cane delivered to the factory.
While addressing the media in Migori town, Argwings Adongo, the secretary of the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Sony branch, confirmed that they had already given the company a notice to pay farmers their dues.
“Earlier this week, we had given the management a notice to pay our farmers what they are owed. Failure to which, we planned to rally our farmers to stop supplying the miller immediately,” said Mr Adongo.
According to the official, the company as at the time of interview owed farmers 317 million shillings, which had accrued from November 2024, when the company was closed shortly for maintenance.
However, despite their demand for full payment, Adongo revealed that the company pledged to start doing partial payments to the farmers, noting that the management informed them of having in possession 10 million shillings to start the process.
“In our last meeting, the company informed us that they have allocated 10 million shillings to start the payment process, and they promised that they are sourcing more funds so that payments can continue without delay or interruption.” Said Adongo.
Similarly, Mr John Odondi who is the chairperson of the Federation of Sugarcane growers, Sony Branch, confirmed that the factory is still operational and is committed to clearing the areas in phases starting with the available amount.
Contrary to their earlier notice to suspend supply, he urged farmers to continue supplying the plant so that the operations do not stall as they process their payment mechanism.
“We urge our farmers to continue supplying cane to Sony as the company has shown good faith by beginning to release funds,” said Omollo. “We know this is not the full amount, but it is a start. We will continue to follow up until all farmers are paid in full.”
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