Kenya : Sugarcane farmers want state to clear Sh300 million arrears
Sugarcane farmers in Migori County are demanding the urgent clearance of KSh300 million in arrears owed to them from October 2024 to April 2025. The debt, linked to Sony Sugar’s previous management, has left farmers unable to meet basic needs like school fees and food. Leaders from farmer associations insist the government should honor its promise to pay the dues, especially after the company’s new investor, Ali Taib, declined responsibility for old debts. Farmers also want 70% of the previous workforce retained amid plans to phase them out by October 2025.
Sugarcane farmers in Migori County now want the government to clear Sh300 million arrears owed to them.
The farmers said that the arrears have accrued between October 2024 to April 2025.
They lamented that they lack funds to pay school fees, health care and buy food.
Charles Atiang’a, the national chairman of Kenya Association of Sugarcane and Allied Products, urged the government to clear the Sh300 million arrears that accrued during the Sony Sugar Company’s former management which was in office for only 10 months.
“Our concern is that during the transition, the government said the old debts belonged to it. Farmers have children to take to school among other obligations,” Mr Atiang’ said.
South Nyanza Farmers Association secretary general Sylvester Oketch regretted that farmers were yet to be paid despite their constant pleadings.
“Sony Sugar Company has farmers arrears. We want the farmers paid as fast as possible because they also have pressing needs which they have to address,” Mr Oketch said.
He said that for farmers to continue engaging in agriculture they needed to be paid their arrears.
“If at all the government would take long before paying farmers, the new investor which took over the company should pay farmers the arrears and bill government,” he said.
Aggrey Ondiek, a farmers said, they have no other avenues of getting funds since some of them have loans.
Moreover, the farmers want the company’s new management to retain 70 per cent of workers who were at the company before they took over its leadership.
The milling company is expected to phase off former employees in October 2025.
Sony Sugar Company’s management was taken over by founder and Managing Director of Busia Sugar and Allied Companies Ali Taib in May 2025.
Taib declared that he would not settle previous debts, leaving farmers’ hopes pegged on the government’s promise to clear their arrears.
Efforts to get a comment from the miller was futile.
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Source : The Standard
