Governor Nyong’o Confronts Agriculture Ministry Over Sugar Mills Layoffs, Demands Withdrawal of Redundancy Notices

Governor Nyong’o Confronts Agriculture Ministry Over Sugar Mills Layoffs, Demands Withdrawal of Redundancy Notices

The sugar industry standoff has intensified after Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o openly clashed with the Ministry of Agriculture over mass layoffs.

Shock Over Mass Redundancy Notices

The Ministry recently approved redundancy letters to four state-owned sugar mills: Chemelil, Muhoroni, Sony, and Nzoia. This decision immediately placed thousands of workers at risk of losing their jobs.

In a strongly worded statement on August 22, Governor Nyong’o expressed deep frustration.

“I am shocked and dismayed by the unilateral and ill-advised approval granted by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture for mass redundancies at our state-owned sugar factories. This decision is a direct betrayal of the spirit and intent of the sugar sector revival program,” Nyong’o said.

He urged the ministry to reverse its directive without delay.

“Therefore, I urge the following immediate actions: The Principal Secretary for Agriculture to immediately withdraw this callous redundancy approval,” he added.

Leasing to Private Owners Raises Questions

The layoffs followed the government’s decision to lease the sugar companies to private investors. However, Nyong’o argued that this was not part of the original revival plan.

“The goal was to create a sustainable future, not to dismantle the existing workforce. This approval for mass layoffs fundamentally contradicts that promise and threatens to destabilize the very sector we are trying to save, and is a recipe for chaos,” Nyong’o explained.

Timing Sparks Outrage

Nyong’o also condemned the timing of the redundancy notices. According to him, the government still owes the workers huge arrears.

“What is more appalling is the timing of this decision. It is a matter of public record that the national government has a long-standing commitment to pay the outstanding dues and arrears owed to these long-suffering workers. To approve their termination before this solemn debt has been settled is not only unjust but morally reprehensible. It adds a grave insult to an already painful injury,” he declared.

Call for Action

The governor demanded that the National Treasury immediately release funds to settle all arrears owed to sugar factory workers. He further requested an urgent consultative meeting.

“We need dialogue between all stakeholders to plan a humane way forward,” Nyong’o emphasized.

As tension grows, the future of thousands of workers now hangs in the balance. The fight for the survival of Kenya’s sugar industry has taken a dramatic turn, and all eyes are on the Agriculture Ministry’s next move.

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Governor Nyong’o Confronts Agriculture Ministry Over Sugar Mills Layoffs, Demands Withdrawal of Redundancy Notices