Kenya Sugar Mill Lease Scandal Has Everyone Talking

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told lawmakers that Kenya never sold any sugar factories. The government only leased these factories through clear steps approved by Parliament. Kagwe spoke to the National Assembly Agriculture Committee about the process. He said everyone who mattered joined from the start of these talks. The CS offered to share all papers with Parliament for anyone to check.

Committee Chair John Mutunga agreed that lawmakers would watch over the entire leasing work. Public interest has grown as more people ask questions about state sugar mills changing hands. Some leaders from Western Kenya said they want more openness about these deals. The Kenya Sugar Board later defended giving these factories to private companies. Board CEO Jude Chesire promised that farmers would come first under the new plan.

Police stopped protests near the Nzoia Sugar Company earlier this week. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya led people trying to enter the factory grounds. Through these agreements, four different sugar mills went to four separate private groups. Natembeya joined with other leaders to call these leases against the law. They claim local people never had a chance to share their views about the changes.