Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o has slammed the national government’s move to lease out local sugar companies in the Nyando Sugar Belt region.
He termed the process, which has been fast-tracked and finalized, as “opaque, exclusionary, and a direct threat to rural livelihoods and land ownership.”
In a terse statement issued Wednesday, Governor Nyong’o expressed outrage over what he termed a “cloak of secrecy” approach to the speedy leasing of Chemelil and Muhoroni Sugar Factories.
“It’s undertaken without adequate stakeholders’ consultation. For instance, Chemelil Sugar Factory is being handed over for a staggering 30-year lease to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited, a firm only 16 years old,” he stated.
Nyong’o further revealed that Muhoroni Sugar Company will also be leased to the 17-month-old West Valley Sugar Company for a similar period.
Asection of Muhoroni Sugar Factory, which Kisumu Governor Nyong’o claims to be leased to West Valley Sugar Limited for 30 years.Photo Courtesy
The 62-year-old company is capable of milling 2,200 tonnes per day.
According to Nyong’o, Miwani Sugar Company’s prime 15,000-hectare nucleus estate is reportedly being transferred to Crossley Holdings Limited.
“In close collaboration with the late Jakoyo Midiwo, we filed a successful court petition that stopped the imminent privatization of sugar mills in Western Kenya in 2016.”
Economic Sabotage “Despite pending court cases, it’s being done under ‘highly questionable’ terms. This is a daylight robbery—an economic coup targeting over 60,000 farmers and critical public infrastructure, including schools, homes, churches, and mosques,” the governor warned.
Nyong’o further stingingly condemned the leasing scheme as a ‘thinly veiled land grab’ that is poised to endanger the community’s lives in Kisumu East, Nyando, and Muhoroni.
An entrance to Chemelil Sugar Company, which Kisumu Governor Nyong’o claims is set to be leased to Kibos Sugar Mills for 30 years. Photo Courtesy
He pointed out the International Tender Notice No. MOALD/SDA/IT001/2023-24, which was halted last year by the High Court.
A legal notice was issued in March 2025, but its completion has been fast-tracked.
Transferring the sugar mills to Kibos and West Valley, the government will be enabling dangerous monopolistic control over vital agricultural assets.
“We are calling for the suspension of the leasing process with immediate effect. Legal proceedings should be launched under a certificate of urgency to halt any further action until all legal and procedural flaws are resolved.”
People-driven resistance The county government of Kisumu, he said, is willing to support affected farmers in court.
“We must not allow this ill-conceived plan to proceed. It disregards public interest, violates legal norms, and poses a serious threat to land rights and the future of our sugar industry,” he said.
The cane yard at Muhoroni Sugar Company. According to Kisumu Governor Nyong’o, the sugar mill will be leased to West Valley Sugar Limited for 30 years. Photo by Ondari Ogega.
Nyong’o urged Kisumu residents to stand united in opposition by encouraging public rallies, civic mobilization, and renewed dialogue rooted in previous public submissions to the Privatization Commission.
He challenged the Kisumu County Assembly to spearhead a people-driven resistance.
“This is an attack on devolved governance and local livelihoods. It must be stopped by all means necessary,” he cautioned.
