MCAs from Mumias East, Mumias West, and Matungu constituencies have issued a strong warning to West Kenya Sugar Company, giving them a 24-hour ultimatum to leave the Mumias Sugar Factory premises or face eviction through a mass demonstration.
According to Ali Okomba, one of the MCAs, they will not sit back and watch as a competitor runs key sections of Mumias Sugar, which they believe is an attempt to sabotage its revival.
In a report shared by K24 on their official X page, the MCAs argue that West Kenya Sugar Company should not be in charge of the distillery and cogeneration plants, as these facilities require raw materials that the company does not produce.
They see this as a conflict of interest and a deliberate move to cripple Mumias Sugar’s recovery. Boniface Osange, the MCA for Khalaba, questioned why a company that does not have sugarcane or sugar by-products is being allowed to manage key operations that depend on those very materials.
The MCAs have vowed to take action if their demands are ignored. They have promised to rally farmers and urge them to stop supplying sugarcane to the factory until West Kenya Sugar Company vacates the premises.
Eddy Ombwaka, the MCA for Etenje, made it clear that if the company does not leave within the given time, they will lead a demonstration to force them out.
The leaders insist that their goal is to see Mumias Sugar Factory fully revived so that local farmers can benefit rather than suffer losses.
This standoff comes just weeks after President William Ruto announced a Ksh150 million bonus for sugar farmers supplying cane to Mumias Sugar.
The bonus, unveiled on January 20, was part of efforts to revive the struggling factory, which was once the backbone of the local economy.
However, despite such efforts, the battle over control of the factory continues, with leaders accusing private millers of frustrating its revival.
Mumias Sugar Factory was once a major player in Kenya’s sugar industry before years of mismanagement, corruption, and heavy debts led to its downfall.
The factory’s collapse left thousands of farmers without a reliable market for their cane, forcing many into financial struggles.
Now, with efforts to bring the factory back to life, local leaders are determined to ensure that it benefits the farmers rather than private millers whom they accuse of having ulterior motives.
As the deadline given by the MCAs draws closer, all eyes will be on West Kenya Sugar Company to see whether they will vacate or if the situation will escalate into a major showdown.
The fate of Mumias Sugar remains uncertain, but one thing is clear the local leaders and farmers are ready to fight for its revival.
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