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Nairobi — Operations at Nzoia Sugar Company could be paralysed following threats by 45,000 cane growers to stop deliveries to the firm.
The threat follows the appointment of former Kenya Sugar Board boss Julius Nyarotso as chairman of the company’s board of directors.
The farmers held a demonstration at Bukembe market on Thursday to protest against the appointment, vowing to make good their threat if it was not revoked immediately.
They were later dispersed by riot police, who said the demonstration was illegal.
The farmers, led by Nzoia Outgrowers Company chairman Joash wa Mang’oli, said the protest would go on until the appointment was cancelled.
They accused Mr Nyarotso of flooding the Kenyan market with cheap imported sugar, killing local companies.
They claimed Mr Nyarotso was a contractor, supplier, and consultant at the factory and urged him to turn down the job.
"The Nzoia Outgrowers Company board will meet today to decide what action to take should Mr Nyarotso not step aside," Mr Mang’oli said.
On Friday, Mr Nyarotso denied the allegations, saying he had ensured that cheap imports and exports were regulated "at the time local sugar millers could not sell the sweetener that filled godowns at various factories."
He also reminded the farmers how he had helped them get payment for their cane, which had accumulated arrears for close to six years.
"I would like to remind the growers that when I was KSB chairman, I fought to ensure that farmers in Nzoia were paid arrears that had accumulated to about Sh3 million from 1999 and gave them a new lease of life," said Mr Nyarotso.
He advised the growers not to be used by individuals with vested interests
"My record is clean, let me be given the chance to serve," he said.
KSB director Billy Wanjala and former Mumias MP Wycliffe Osundwa accused politicians of having a hand in the protests.
Addressing the press in Mumias, Mr Wanjala and Mr Osundwa said the sugar milling company was a government institution and any qualified Kenyan had the right to head it.
They accused an assistant minister from Bungoma of inciting the growers to reject Mr Nyarotso.
"We are surprised that senior politicians in the area are inciting farmers to reject a vastly experienced person like Mr Nyarotso," they said.