Oparanya takes over running of Mumias Sugar Company

The Kakamega County Government has been given the green light by sugarcane farmers to be the temporary custodian of the ailing Mumias Sugar Company.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who addressed farmers at the factory grounds Friday, said his administration would not sit back and watch the Company’s Board of Directors dispose off some factory assets.

Oparanya, who is also the co-chair of the sugar taskforce appointed by the President to look into sugarcane issues, questioned the Board’s resolve to advertise for bids to lease the company’s assets even before the taskforce report is released.

The assets to be leased include the water bottling plant, the nuclear estate, the golf course, sports ground and the schools.

He said the county law enforcement personnel and the police will guard the factory machinery and premises. He asserted that they are ready to go to court to safeguard the miller.

Kennedy Ngumbau, the chairman of the Board, said the leasing was intended to boost the company’s revenues.

The County head added that the task force report is ready and would be presented to the President soon and among other things it recommends the revival of the miller.