Governor Anyang' Nyong’o warns redundancy approval could push sugar sector into crisis
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the layoffs affecting over 5,000 sugar workers contradict the purpose of leasing the mills, which was to revive the sector and not dismantle the workforce.
Kisumu County government has demanded the immediate withdrawal of redundancy approval granted to state-owned sugar factories, warning that the move risks plunging the sector into chaos.
In a statement, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong’o said the layoffs affecting over 5,000 sugar workers contradict the purpose of leasing the mills, which was to revive the sector and not dismantle the workforce.
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The government recently authorised Chemelil, Muhoroni, Sony and Nzoia sugar firms to issue redundancy notices as they hand over factories and land to new operators. Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh directed the managing directors to formally notify all staff about the termination of their contracts, affecting more than 5,000 workers.
Ronoh said those who wish to continue under the new ownership will be required to submit fresh applications for their positions.
However, Prof Nyong’o condemned the decision as “unilateral and ill-advised,” arguing it betrays the intent of the sugar sector revival programme.
“I am shocked and dismayed by the unilateral and ill-advised approval granted by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture for mass redundancies at our state-owned sugar factories. This decision is a direct betrayal of the spirit and intent of the sugar sector revival program,” he said.
The governor stressed that the leasing of the sugar mills was intended to improve efficiency, safeguard livelihoods, and create a sustainable future, not dismantle the workforce.
“The leasing of these sugar mills was, in all intents and purposes, a strategy to revive the sector, enhance efficiency, and improve the welfare of all involved. The goal was to create a sustainable future, not to dismantle the existing workforce. This approval for mass layoffs fundamentally contradicts that promise and threatens to destabilise the very sector we are trying to save, and is a recipe for chaos,” he said.
Nyong’o also criticised the timing of the decision, noting that the national government has yet to pay workers’ pending dues and arrears.
“It is a matter of public record that the national government has a long-standing commitment to pay the outstanding dues and arrears owed to these long-suffering workers. To approve their termination before this solemn debt has been settled is not only unjust but morally reprehensible. It adds a grave insult to an already painful injury,” he said.
The governor also faulted the Agriculture Ministry for failing to consult county governments before making such a consequential decision.
“Furthermore, it is disconcerting that a decision with such profound and devastating impacts on the economies of several counties was taken without any consultation with the respective county governments. This is a blatant disregard for the principles of cooperative governance enshrined in our Constitution. The sugar sector is a devolved function, and the livelihoods of thousands of our citizens are not a matter to be decided unilaterally from an office in Nairobi,” he said.
The governor issued three demands, including immediate withdrawal of the redundancy approval, urgent release of funds to pay all workers’ arrears, and a consultative meeting between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Governors and workers’ representatives.
“Therefore, I urge for the following immediate actions: the Principal Secretary for Agriculture to immediately withdraw this callous redundancy approval; the National Treasury to, without further delay, release the funds to pay all outstanding arrears owed to the sugar factory workers and; an urgent meeting to be convened between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Governors, and workers’ representatives to chart a humane, consultative, and sustainable path forward for the workforce within the leasing framework,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of rebuilding the sugar sector for the nation’s economy.
“Building the sugar sector is baking the cake for the whole nation,” he said.
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