By MN Reporter

Farmers allied to South Nyanza Sugar Company have supported government directive to lease millers instead of direct privatization.

Through the Kenya Federation of Sugarcane Farmer, they said the move was a welcome to the sector.

Federation secretary at Sony branch Argwengs Adongo said they support the move with conditions.

He said they demand public participation, transparency in the process with farmers being fully involved.

“Laws to govern the leasing must be properly constitute and not manipulated through official gazette regulations,” he said.

He added: “we want the leasing period to be at least ten years but not more than 15 years at the same time  all the debts the company owes to farmers must be paid before the leasing takes place,” said Adongo.

He said farmers demand the leasing to be done by a new player in South Nyanza and not the Rai family which controls Sukari Industries in Homa Bay county and Trans Mara Sugar in Narok county.

Andrew Odhiambo a farmer said they prefer international investor to come and lease the company

“We as farmer we highly prefer international investor against the local following the frustration farmers are getting from them,” he said.

He said that the idea of local privet company who applied to lease the Sony sugar company be given opportunity they have rejected

“Farmers and employees have been facing challenges that include underpayment, sugarcane poaching which are unfired trading practices of some of the companies and major sugar importers they also repackaging and re bagging of sugar of local production,” Said Mr. Odhiambo.