Ahead of the much-anticipated 61st Madaraka Day set to take place tomorrow at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma County, the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union (KUSPAWU) has called upon the president to address the issue of salary delays in his address to Kenyans.
While addressing journalists, the farmers lamented that Ruto had promised to see to it that their dues were settled in February. Still, since then, no action has been taken.
“We ask the president to remember us when he comes to Bungoma tomorrow. He should consider all sugarcane farmers, including those of Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni sugar companies so that they can sustain their lives, take their children to school, and live well like others,” Bernard Wanyonyi, the KUSPAWU chairperson, pleaded.
Similarly, sugarcane farmers working at Nzoia Sugar Company criticised their area leaders for what they perceive as failing to go the extra mile to ensure this matter is addressed.
Rose Misigo, one of Nzoia Sugar's employees, expressed her frustrations: “Where are you (county leaders)? Our children are at home instead of going to school. We are unable to sustain ourselves. As women, we are living a deplorable life.”
The MPs in the sugarcane-farming belts were not spared. They also found themselves on the receiving end.
“Our MPs are nowhere to be seen. They have abandoned us. Right now when we are struggling they are not around. But when you (Ruto) come to Bungoma, all MPs avail themselves,” one seemingly annoyed farmer lamented.
In February this year, while speaking at Kakamega Approved School Grounds, during a church service, the president stated that in his negotiations, the sugar company managers expressed a willingness to pay a sum of Ksh600 million as bonus payments to sugarcane farmers, an offer which he declined insisting on Ksh1 billion.
He maintained the rates paid in bonuses would be subject to changes based on the prevailing market prices.
While making his remarks, Ruto stated that bonuses owed to sugarcane farmers would be paid every year and on time as is done with tea farmers.
“You do not do business without profits, the factory used to mill the sugar even if old, is public property. Whoever is running that factory we have to subdivide profits”, Ruto emphasised.
In another visit to Western Kenya, where he had gone to unveil five multi-billion projects, he reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government would honor all the pre-election promises made during the campaigns, and also bolster development for the people of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties within five years.
“I still stand by my word. I will soon call the leaders from the Western Kenya region once I finalize the road map for the revival of Mumias Sugar Company so that we chart a way forward together," Ruto declared.
Everyone is now looking forward to seeing whether Ruto will tackle this, and many other pressing concerns, during his Madaraka Day speech and the measures that he will put in place to see to it that the prolonged struggles of farmers are addressed earnestly.
