Members of the County Assembly of Kisumu have opposed the renewed push to have sugar factories sold.
The MCAs have been irked by the move by the national government and are claiming the government wants to take their main source of livelihood.
Railways Ward Representative Isaiah Onyango said sugar is the most known commercial crop from the region and that anything touching on killing the sector should be opposed.
“The government should instead find other better ways of improving the industries and not selling them,” said Onyango.
They now want the county government to move to court to stop the sale of three sugar factories in the region.
Through a Motion moved by Masogo Nyang’oma Ward representative Samwel Ong’ow, the Assembly opposed the proposed sale of the sugar factories Chemelil, Muhoroni and Miwani which had earlier been passed by the National Assembly.
Ong’ow claimed it will be difficult to handle debts owed to farmers and other suppliers if the factories are sold.
Chemelil MCA Joseph Osano said agriculture has been devolved and therefore counties should be allowed to control every agricultural assets.
“We must get involved in the affairs of the sugar sector, and we will go to court to block the sale of the factories,” said Osano. He was supported by his Onjiko Awasi counterpart Fanuel Ayim who said the assembly will stop the sale at all cost.
The house through the assembly speaker of the day Elijah Omondi resolved to petition the Senate over the sale of the said factories so that it can be halted until all stakeholders are engaged.
“The county government will also go to court through a petition from the Assembly to stop the sale,” said Omondi.