Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh has announced that the government is progressing with the planned privatization of state-owned sugar mills to make them profitable. During his tour of the state-owned mills in Nyanza and Western regions, Ronoh stated that the government aims to attract investors to revitalize the four mills—Chemelil, Muhoroni, Nzoia, and Sony—while ensuring that farmers are the primary beneficiaries.
Dr. Ronoh highlighted that these state-owned mills have been operating at a loss, primarily due to outdated technology, which hampers their profitability. To prepare for privatization, the government is in the process of settling all arrears owed to cane farmers and workers.
“The obsolescence of the machinery in these factories is the biggest challenge. Their technology is old, and we have seen that unless we step up our game with speed to revive this sector, it will collapse,” he said.
“The plan to lease out the four factories is on course. We have discussed with all stakeholders how we can move swiftly, ensuring that the region, the factory, the farmers, and all stakeholders within the factory’s ecosystem are the biggest beneficiaries.”
PS Ronoh also announced that the government will soon introduce new early-maturing cane varieties for farmers to plant, aiming to enhance productivity in the sugar sector.
