Secretary of Sugarcane Growers Association Mr. Richard Ogendo has condemned the massive importation of sugar by millers terming it akin to sounding a death knell to sugarcane farming in Western and Nyanza regions.
Talking to media in Kisumu, Ogendo accused milling companies like Kibos and Butali among others as chief culprits in the unethical practice in the sugar industry.
“Now that these companies are keen on importation and on the same note crushing sugarcane, where will there be fairness in the sector? If they continue crushing to their capacities, what’s the fate of other millers whom have been denied?
Where does this practice leave ordinary farmers if not at the mercy of Kibos and Butali who are hellbent to dominate the sector and lord it over to other children of a lesser god?”, Ogendo posed.
According to Sugar Act, only none millers with approved licences are permitted to import specific amount of sugar to bridge the consumption gap brought about by our local production inadequacies according to market demands.
However according to Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) chairman Cornelius Serem, the allegation is not true adding they can’t know whether or not the companies applying for sugar importation licences are millers too.
Ogendo who was flanked by other members of the association on the other hand took issue with AFA for sleeping on job when atrocities are being committed by unscrupulous sugar dealers with no respect to law and ethics governing the industry.
“It is irresponsible and negligent for AFA to turn its back against the plight of farmers by failing to carry out due diligence in the process of screening applicants seeking licences for sugar importation”, said the furious Ogendo.
He further cited the move by AFA in favour of Kibos Sugar by curtailing companies not crush sugarcane to full capacity in order to create artificial shortage thereby giving room for more importation beyond the official limit.
Elsewhere sources which didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisal told our reporter that Kibos Sugar is at the centre of the controversial closure of weighbridges of West Kenya Sugar in Kisumu, Nandi and Kericho Counties to which Ogendo further confirmed that the West Kenya weigh bridges are closed by AFA to allegedly favour Kibos.
In a swift rejoinder, Mr. Serem denied the allegation, saying the sugar sector is embroiled in a lot politicking adding that no miller had raised concern that its weigh bridges have been closed through instigation of the competitor.
“Kibos and Butali are well known for their high-handedness, arrogance and rudeness against other key players particularly farmers. They treat farmers harshly and we can no longer take it lying down “, added Ogendo.
Against the backdrop of the AFA order for all millers to crush half their capacities, Kibos and Butali which are the lead sugar importers against the provisions of law, are defiantly crushing to their full capacity of 4000 tonnes and 3500 tonnes per day respectively.
This, according to farmers, has resulted in massive profiteering through selective enforcement of the law by AFA at a time West Kenya whose weigh bridges are closed and other companies are operating in fear consequently subjecting farmers to frustrations and agony as they remain stuck with sugarcane in farms.
Sugarcane farmers rights activist Charles Atiang’ has challenged AFA to remain above waters as the regulator instead of being compromised by millers at the expense of farmers.
“It was wrong for AFA to execute a resolution by Kibos Sugar, West Valley, Chemelil and Muhoroni Sugar factories barring other companies from harvesting in Nyando sugar belt to the detriment of West Kenya Sugar company”, said Atiang’.
Atiang’ took issue with zoning saying Kenya is a liberalised economy thus farmers are in free market where supplies and demands dictate the equilibrium to sell their produce to any miller.
He pointed out the sufferings contracted farmers by West Kenya in Kisumu, Kericho and Nandi are facing after the closure of their weigh bridges by AFA.
“The company is experiencing losses as well as the contracted farmers since sugarcane can’t be harvested,” he remarked.
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