By Augustine Were
The leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma County has sparked fierce opposition from local leaders and residents, with the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K) threatening legal action to halt the process over claims of inadequate public participation.
Led by former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, DAP-K has condemned the government's approach, comparing it to the controversial leasing of Pan Paper Factory—a move many believe led to the factory's eventual decline. Wamalwa and other leaders argue that a similar fate could await Nzoia Sugar if the leasing proceeds without meaningful community involvement.
"We are going to court to put a roadblock to stop the leasing of Nzoia. There cannot be a sale of public property without public participation," Wamalwa declared during a press briefing.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka echoed these sentiments, recalling the economic prosperity Nzoia once brought to Bungoma and lamenting the current state of the company.
"When we were growing up, Bungoma was rich because of Nzoia Sugar Company. But whatever is happening now is worrying," he said.
Wamalwa also pushed back against reports suggesting that parts of Nzoia’s land could be sold for as little as KSh 50,000 per acre, describing such suggestions as an insult to the people of Bungoma.
However, not all leaders share the same stance. Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama has thrown his weight behind the leasing, saying it's the only viable solution to revive the ailing miller. He criticized the opposition as political grandstanding at the expense of real solutions.
Supporting Wanyama’s position, Nzoia Sugar Managing Director Ezron Kotut assured stakeholders that the incoming management would settle all outstanding dues, including salaries and allowances, offering a glimmer of hope to the beleaguered workers and farmers.
Despite the reassurances, anxiety continues to grip the region as residents await clarity on the future of one of Western Kenya’s most iconic sugar firms. With legal battles looming and public sentiment divided, the fate of Nzoia Sugar Company hangs in the balance.
Reporting by [Your Name], Bungoma County.
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