President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the immediate payment of sugarcane farmers, using the Sh1 billion bailout granted to the troubled Mumias Sugar Company.
Speaking in Kakamega today Wednesday, the President insisted that the money should not be diverted to other uses, noting that the farmers' arrears should be prioritized.
The Head of state has further warned that should the management divert the funds to other uses, they will be held accountable.
He has also assured the sugar company management of the government's support, saying the government is committed to ensuring that the company gets back to its feet, Citizen TV reports.
The order comes as a reprieve to the cane farmers who had earlier expressed concern over their long withheld dues.
The debt the sugar company owes the farmers is reportedly estimated at Sh500,000 million.
Kenyatta was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto among other leaders from both the ruling Jubilee coalition and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).
Ruto has called on area leaders not to politicize the reviving of the sugar company saying that it is for the benefit of the residents and the country as a whole.
The government committed to inject 1 billion shillings into Mumias sugar company, after a visit to State House by leaders from the western Kenya region, led by Budalangi Mp Ababu Namwamba.
See also:Meeting With Kenyatta Was Not Political, Says Ababu
