Workers at four sugar mills move to court, challenge sacking
The employees, from South Nyanza (Sony), Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Nzoia sugar companies, say discussions over their terminal benefits and other entitlements are still ongoing.
Thousands of workers at four state-owned sugar factories have taken legal action against redundancy notices issued following the leasing of the mills to private operators, claiming the process was rushed and their rights overlooked.
The employees, from South Nyanza (Sony), Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Nzoia sugar companies, say discussions over their terminal benefits and other entitlements are still ongoing.
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They argue that the 30-day notice ending on October 30 was issued amid confusion over who will remain employed under the new management.
In their petition, the workers stated, “Notwithstanding the pending mundane issues and clear confusion apparent, the 1st respondent (PS Agriculture) has instructed the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents (the factories) to declare the plaintiffs redundant, thereby occasioning total disorder and leaving the plaintiffs in limbo.”
They also highlighted the absence of detailed reports outlining notice payments, accrued leave, severance under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, arrears, and statutory contributions, including pensions.
The Ministry of Agriculture recently leased the four public sugar factories to private companies in a bid to revive the ailing sugar sector. Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries, Busia Sugar Industry Ltd, West Valley Sugar Company, and West Kenya Sugar Company now manage the mills under a 30-year lease.
Court documents reveal that an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) guaranteed a Sh600 million payment to workers before the takeover, with the remaining Sh400 million to cover salaries starting May 2025.
Workers say the redundancy notices contravene this agreement and threaten their livelihoods.
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