President Uhuru Kenyatta Directs Payment of Ksh2.6 Billion to Sugarcane Farmers on Mashujaa Day 2018

President Uhuru Kenyatta left the residents of Kakamega County with much to smile about during his visit that ended with the Celebration of Mashujaa Day.

In his speech, he directed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to immediately put in place a framework, to pay sugarcane farmers after auditing Ksh2.6 billion, which is the outstanding amount that is owed to them by public sugar factories.

He put Kiunjuri on the spot over the rot at the Ministry and added that if he did not help the authorities to bring cartels to justice, he would be taken personally responsible.

“It is not acceptable that cane factories have been collecting cane from farmers and not paying for it while the demand for sugar has been on the rise,” stated an angry Uhuru.

He further advised farmers to sell their produce to factories that are managed well and pay on time.

He regretted that: “Selling to informal markets is undermining the farmers' income and reversing the development of a proper sugar industry.”

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Kiunjuri were also instructed to chair a task force that will recommend ways of transforming the sugar industry and report within a month.

The president vowed to support the expansion of the Bukhungu Stadium as well as roads in the county.

Deputy President William Ruto assured the residents that the Kakamega – Webuye road was under construction and that the Navakholo road was being repaired.

Uhuru concluded that building the Kenya we want is unfinished but with hope and confidence, we will be able to tackle any challenges that come our way in this undertaking.