PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | FILE Cane is delivered to a crushing facility operated by Mumias Sugar Company. NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Nzoia and Butali sugar disregarded the meeting, while Mumias Sugar attended the session
During the session, Mumias sugar expressed frustrations over cane poaching
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By Nation Correspondent
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Two sugar millers on Tuesday snubbed a meeting called by the parliamentary committee on agriculture to discuss the rampant cane poaching issues facing the sector.
Nzoia and Butali sugar disregarded the meeting, while Mumias Sugar attended the session called to discuss the rampant cane poaching that has been blamed for the dismal performance of the sector.
Members of the committee chaired by Mandera MP Aden Mohammed said that Nzoia and Butali should have their licences revoked for failing to attend the meeting. “We demand stern actions against the two. Their licences should be withdrawn because they have failed to take the matter seriously even as Comesa safeguard deadline approaches,” said a member of the committee.
MAJOR CHALLENGE
During the session, Mumias sugar expressed frustrations over cane poaching saying that it is the major challenge that stands in its way ahead of the Comesa safeguard deadline.
Mumias Limited managing director accused West Kenya Sugar Company, scheduled to appear before the committee next week, of buying cane from Mumias’ contracted areas.
The meeting was ignited by a farmers’ lobby group, Western Development Initiative Association, that filed a petition last month raising alarm over effects of cane poaching on farmers.
Mr Joseph Wanyonyi the petition’s chair said farmers were being frustrated by millers in Western region to the point of being paid Sh 1000 per tonne of cane.
“This is way below what millers pay without using middle men,” Mr Wanyonyi said.
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