Plans by the government to sell the ailing Nzoia Sugar company to a local sugar dealer has continued eliciting mixed reactions from different quarters.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has said the plan is not only ill-timed, but also ill-advised.
Wetangula, who has been vocal on matters of national interest, insisted that farmers stand to lose if the government goes ahead to sell the factory.
He noted that the government needs to pump into the firm more funds to revive it and, not selling the same to an individual.
The former Senate Minority leader said he is aware of the government's plan to sell the firm to a private sugar factory in Western Kenya.
The lawmaker claimed that other leaders from the Western region are against the move, adding that he will rally other leaders to stand up and defend the industry for the sake of the farmers and the entire Western region.
“The Privatisation Commission told us they were looking for a strategic partner to buy Nzoia Sugar and now they are telling us that they have found a successful local miller to buy Nzoia Sugar. The move is suspect and Bungoma leaders are against any such plans,” said Wetang’ula as quoted by Standard.