Sugarcane shortage brought by a long drought turned bad when two tractors belonging to Sukari Industries were set ablaze at Oyani weighbridge in Uriri sub-county on Monday.
Arsonists said to be from a rival firm also burnt sugarcane as drought continues to ravage most parts of the country.
The Transmara Sugar Industry and State-owned Sony Sugar Company are the firms operating in the region.
Sukari general manager Paven Trappa said they lost more than Sh3 million in the incident adding that police was investigating the incident.
Kenya Sugarcane Growers Association Secretary General Richard Ogendo in an interview said the problem is because out of the three sugar millers, only Sony Sugar has reliable contracted farmers.
"The nucleus farm is always used by the company as a buffer when there is drought, while Sukari and Transmara risk closure because of lack of cane, which forces them to poach,” he said in an interview with the Star.
Sony Sugar recently accused the two sugar millers of poaching farmers.