The entrance the Mumias Sugar company. [Photo/ citizentv.co.ke]
Governors from counties that grow sugarcane are set to meet to strategise on how to revive the ailing sugar industry.Kakamega's Wycliff Oparanya on Saturday said Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) and Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga) will meet in February to discuss modalities through which the sector that supports millions of residents in Western region will be brought back to life.He said another meeting will be convened with their counterparts from Nyanza at a later date.Kenya's sugar industry is on its knees owing to the importation of cheap sugar especially from South America, Uganda as well as Asia."The help we are receiving from the National Government is small and it's upon ourselves to carry the burden and straighten the sector for the sake of our people," Oparanya told journalists in Kakamega on Saturday.Shortly after the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013, the National Government gave a loan of Sh1 billion for the revival of the ailing Mumias Sugar Company but leaders from the region said the amount was too small to pay farmers.Besides the money was a loan and is expected to be paid back.Among key sugar factories, the county chiefs envision to revive include Mumias Sugar and Nzoia Sugar.They also target at establishing other sugar factories to eliminate monopoly which they said leads to farmers' exploitation.