Barely a week after sugar millers resumed operations following a compulsory shutdown meant to allow cane to mature, fresh wrangles, backstabbing, and alleged sabotage have rocked the industry. West Kenya Sugar Company now faces accusations of employing underhand tactics to undermine competitors.
Mumias Sugar Company (2021) Limited has invested heavily in reviving the once-collapsed Mumias-based miller. The company has planted 3,000 hectares of cane on its nucleus estate and empowered local farmers by providing seed cane, fertilizers, and timely payments—often within a week of harvest. These efforts have won the trust of many farmers, who say the services at Mumias Sugar (2021) Limited are unmatched.
As a result, an increasing number of farmers are choosing to work with Mumias Sugar, a shift that has unsettled rival millers.
However, West Kenya Sugar Company, the producer of Kabras Sugar, has been accused of using “dirty tricks” to destabilize the sector. Through its field officer in Khalaba, Mr. Bonface Oundo, the company is alleged to have intimidated farmers in parts of lower Kakamega and falsely claimed ownership of cane belonging to others.
Just a day after millers resumed operations, a trailer was impounded in Emakokhwe area after West Kenya tractors attempted to haul sugarcane from a farmer registered under Mumias Sugar (2021) Limited. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Peter Kihumba, rushed to the scene and confirmed that the cane did not belong to West Kenya. The loaded tractor was forced to offload the cane as Mr. Oundo reportedly watched.
A similar confrontation occurred the following day in Mwibale, Bungoma County, involving private farmer Mr. Emmanuel Simiyu. Simiyu, who has supplied cane to Mumias Sugar since 2024, had obtained a valid permit from the company to harvest his crop.
According to reports, Mr. Oundo claimed that Mumias Sugar was harvesting cane from a West Kenya-contracted farmer and that the crop was underage—only 13 months old. But when visited at his farm, Mr. Simiyu dismissed the allegations, stating that he has never done business with West Kenya.
“I am a private farmer and prefer Mumias Sugar because of their reliable services,” said Simiyu. “West Kenya should identify their farmers and stop dragging those who do business with Mumias Sugar into their issues.”
Mumias Sugar’s Harvesting Manager, Mr. Godfrey Mukanzi, confirmed receiving information from Mr. Oundo that West Kenya’s farms were being harvested illegally.
“When I followed up, I was surprised to find that the said farmer has supplied cane exclusively to Mumias Sugar since 2022,” Mukanzi said. “He has never delivered cane to West Kenya.”
Mukanzi accused West Kenya of conducting field mapping without coordination, causing confusion among farmers.
“We cannot have healthy production when the industry is being violated left, right, and center by competitors,” he said. “Competition is good, but it must be fair. We ask the Kenya Sugar Board to intervene and bring order, especially between Mumias and West Kenya.”
He urged regulators to streamline operations so that each miller works within its designated boundaries.
Mumias Sugar Operations Manager, Mr. George Sagalla, also called out West Kenya for frustrating farmers.
“All millers depend on farmers for survival. Forcing farmers to sign contracts against their will is unacceptable,” said Sagalla. “We need discipline in the field and proper verification of farmer details to avoid unnecessary conflicts.”
He appealed to farmers to visit Mumias Sugar’s field offices across the region for guidance and support.
“We value our farmers and are committed to offering the best services,” Sagalla added.
