Nyando sugar belt farmers in Kisumu have called for speedy privatization of sugar mills in the county.
Led by the vice chairman, Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane farmers Atyang Atyang, the farmers said they are ready to start buying shares.
Atyang said privatization is the best way to strengthen sugar mills that are under performing.
“Our sugar mills will be better if they are privatized. Farmers are ready for the process,” he said.
He said that the COMESA safeguard term will expire and the government must position itself early enough to remain competitive in the sugar market.
Addressing a press conference in Kisumu on Tuesday, Atyang urged the government to offer farmers fast maturing cane seeds.
He termed the case filed by Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang Nyong’o and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo stopping the privatization process as a waste of time.
Atyang said the two went to court without consulting farmers noting that farmers are ready for privatization.
He challenged Prof Nyong’o to use his position to solicit for loans to be availed to farmers to buy shares instead of stopping a process that has good intention for farmers.
He urged them to remove the court case and allow farmers to pull together towards the purchase of the shares.