By Ibrahim Adolwa.
Nzoia Sugar Company farmers and workers are a happy lot following an announcement that Ksh 150 million for workers and 20% farmers arrears has been released by the government after a lengthy wait.
This follows the Exchequer’s release of KSh. 654 million in the 2023/2024 Financial Year’s Supplementary budget, meant to support sugar industry reforms.
Speaking during a press briefing held at the Company premises, the company Board Chairman Hon. Alfred Khang’ati stated that farmers are set to start receiving their dues from Friday 12th July 2024.
Hon. Khang’ati added that out of the money released, Nzoia Sugar Company will receive Ksh. 54 million to clear the 20% owed to farmers, while a further Ksh. 150 million will be used to pay three-months of the 18 months’ salary approved by Parliament for the workers. Once the farmers receive their dues, workers will subsequently start receiving cash in their bank accounts.
The first tranche which was 80% of the total arrears worth Ksh. 213 million owed to farmers was paid earlier after the President’s first visit to Nzoia Sugar Company in the month of August 2023. On his second visit to the Company in the month of February 2024, the President pledged to clear the balance of 20% owed to cane farmers.
This marks the fulfilment of a promise the President made and the end of the long wait for the sugar cane farmers and workers who had been waiting for this day with bated.
This marks the fulfilment of a promise the President made and the end of the long wait for the sugar cane farmers and workers who had been waiting for this day with bated breaths.