A dispute has emerged over the control of the Mumias Sugar Company’s ethanol plant, with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and local elders vowing to block its takeover by West Kenya Sugar Company. The leaders argue that the plant is a crucial asset for the revival of Mumias Sugar and should not fall under private control.
Governor Barasa emphasized that the county government, alongside community elders, will take legal and political measures to ensure that the ethanol plant remains part of Mumias Sugar. “This plant was built to benefit the people of Mumias and should not be handed over to private entities,” he stated.
The controversy comes amid ongoing efforts to revamp Mumias Sugar, which has faced years of financial struggles and mismanagement. West Kenya Sugar Company, owned by billionaire Jaswant Rai, has been a major competitor in the sugar industry and is now seeking control of the ethanol plant. However, local leaders insist that such a move would weaken the broader revival strategy for Mumias Sugar.
Elders from the region echoed the governor’s sentiments, warning that privatizing the ethanol plant could lead to job losses and reduced benefits for local farmers. They called on the national government to intervene and ensure that the plant remains under public or cooperative ownership.
With tensions rising, stakeholders are awaiting further clarification on the government’s position regarding the management of the ethanol plant. The dispute highlights the broader struggles within Kenya’s sugar industry, where efforts to balance privatization and public interests continue to spark controversy.
