Kakamega Governor-elect Barasa: How I will revive Mumias Sugar Company

Speaking on Citizen TV's Newsnight show, Barasa highlighted three strategies he would employ in ensuring the troubled sugar miller is back on its feet.

He blamed political cartels for the troubles facing Mumias Sugar, adding that they continue to jeopardise efforts to revive the company.

"Mumias sugar has failed because of political cartels... guys who have been given a free hand to import sugar but more so is the interference with the efforts by the receiver manager who had been contracted to get someone hired to at least put forward a strategy of reviving the factory," Barasa said.

He added: "I was on record supporting the receiver manager in getting an investor to come and do alot of revival programmes, invest in farm inputs as well as invest in ensuring the factory is functional. But you find politicians going to court to stop the process."

Barasa further assured that he would embark on a sensitization programme to have farmers who got frustrated by sugar farming change their minds and revert to sugarcane farming.

"I know most of the farmers have now diversified...they are not planting sugarcane anymore because they feel it is not well paying. So one of the duties as the leader of this county is to invest in alot of sensitization programs, support the investor in revival efforts because there is a lot of benefit in having the company running... we will create employment as well as provide raw materials for the factory," said Barasa.

Even as a legal battle ensues over the revival of the sugar miller, the newly-elected county boss pointed out that he supports the leasing out of Mumias Sugar to Sarrai Group.

"My role is to support the programmes of the investor, at the moment the investor is Sarrai group... sensitizing farmers and making sure cartels are shamed," said Barasa.

He added: "I believe it is something I can take as a priority item using my connections in government to ensure this local investor is given alot of support in my next 100 days." 

Last week the High Court in Nairobi rejected an application by Azimio coalition party leader Raila Odinga and ODM's Kakamega Governor candidate to be enjoined in Mumias Sugar Company lease case. 

While dismissing the application, Justice Wilfrida Okwany said the involvement of Odinga and Barasa in the case was unnecessary. 

In April this year, the High Court cancelled the multi-billion shilling leasing tender for Mumias Sugar Company that was awarded to Ugandan conglomerate Sarrai Group in December 2021.

The group has subsequently ordered to vacate the premises of Mumias Sugar Company, with the court also removing PVR Rao as administrator with immediate effect.

This was after other bidders moved to court arguing that the leasing process was neither fair nor transparent.

The High Court ruling by Justice Alfred Mabeya brought to an end Sarrai Group’s grip on the troubled sugar mill, hardly four months after the takeover. The case still continues.

The conglomerate had secured a 20-year lease for the assets of Mumias Sugar, and promised to turn around the fortunes of the miller.