Kenya Sugar Board director aspirant Samuel Ong’ou has accused what he described as sugar industry cartels of frustrating the planned Kenya Sugar Board elections for the Central Nyanza cluster by seeking court intervention to delay the exercise.
Ong’ou, who was speaking at Kabar in Muhoroni Sub-County during a funds drive to support students from Kabar Kogola Clan, claimed that individuals opposed to the elections were acting against the interests of sugarcane farmers because they feared losing in a democratic contest.
According to Ong’ou, some of those challenging the elections have allegedly never done anything meaningful to improve the welfare of farmers and are only interested in protecting their own interests.
He said the continued court cases surrounding the elections were frustrating farmers who were looking forward to exercising their democratic right to elect representatives of their choice.
“Those frustrating these elections are people who have never done anything for farmers and they fear defeat. They should allow farmers to choose their leaders,” Ong’ou said.
The Kenya Sugar Board aspirant further questioned the involvement of individuals he claimed were not sugarcane farmers, arguing that people who do not directly participate in farming should not interfere with efforts aimed at giving farmers a voice in the management of the sugar industry.
Ong’ou called on sugarcane farmers to remain calm and patient as the legal issues surrounding the elections are addressed, expressing confidence that the matter would eventually be resolved and farmers would be given an opportunity to elect their preferred representatives.
During the event, Ong’ou also declared his support for the TUTAM agenda and called on Kenyans to support President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.
He argued that President Ruto’s administration had demonstrated its commitment to development by bringing government projects and services closer to ordinary citizens.
Ong’ou said the President deserved another term to continue implementing his development agenda.
The Kenya Sugar Board director aspirant also contributed Sh100,000 towards the education of students from Kabar Kogola Clan.He was also representing Kisumu Senator Dr. Tom Ojienda, who contributed an additional Sh200,000, bringing the total contribution delivered through Ong’ou to Sh300,000.
The funds were raised to support students facing financial challenges in pursuing their education, with speakers at the event urging well wishers and leaders to continue supporting needy students.
Ong’ou said investing in education was essential in empowering young people and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
He reiterated his appeal to sugarcane farmers to remain united and patient as they await the outcome of the court process, assuring them that they would eventually get an opportunity to participate in the Kenya Sugar Board elections.
The Central Nyanza cluster is expected to be closely watched by sugarcane farmers and stakeholders as the dispute over the elections continues, amid calls for the process to be allowed to proceed in a manner that protects farmers’ interests.
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