Sucre Ethique - Kenya : Mumias Accused of Harassment

Nairobi Star - vendredi 16 décembre 2011

Private cane growers from Kakamega have accused Mumias Sugar Company of harassment. The farmers claim Mumias is forcefully taking privately owned cane while on transit. Mumias Sugarcane Farmers Association chairman Simon Wesechere claimed that farmers incur loses close to Sh0.5 billion every year following the illegal activities by the miller.

Addressing the press yesterday, Wesechere said farmers had written protest letters to Mumias Sugar Company managing director Evans Kidero in the past over the issue but no action has been taken. "It’s like nobody is willing to get a solution to the row between private cane farmers and the company," he claimed.

He noted that the 50 per cent loss farmers record was a big blow to their efforts saying Mumias only pays them what it feels could be commensurate to the crop. The over 30,000 private farmers of Mumias Sugar zone claimed that goons accompanied by APs hired by the company, harass and impound their crop.

Mumias DC Francis Komen has accused the firm of handling the growers brutally saying it is wrong for Mumias to force private farmers to sell their crop to them. Addressing a rally at Nabongo grounds during Jamhuri Day celebrations, Komen cited an incident where a security officer and a West Kenya Sugar worker were injured in a scuffle between Mumias Sugar Anti-cane Poaching Unit and farmers in Nambacha.