Leaders from the Nyando sugar belt have now vowed that cane farmers from those areas must have a say in the privatisation plan of sugar factories by the national government.
Ogra Foundation Founder Dr Hezron McObewa says farmers should use the outgrowers companies in the area to buy shares when the privatisation process starts.
Dr McObewa says all the cooperative societies for sugarcane growing must be represented in the outgrowers companies to ensure the locals have a say in the running of the factories once privatised.
He says farmers may not have the capacity to buy the factories but can only do so when they come together through such cooperative societies.
Dr McObewa says if that is not done, then the companies will be owned by foreigners which will not reflect well with the locals.
Speaking in Muhoroni, Dr McObewa said the foreign investors who are interested in buying the factories will have to come in through such outgrowers companies like Miwani Sugar Outgrowers (MISOCO), Muhoroni Sugar Outgrowers (MUSOCO) Companies.
He says Miwani sugar factory collapsed many years ago and has affected several farmers adding that the remaining Chemelil and even Muhoroni are not doing well either.