President Ruto, CS Kagwe sack directors of Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony sugar companies after leasing deal
President Ruto, in a gazette notice dated May 12, 2025, revoked the appointments of the board chairpersons at the three sugar companies. Eng John Nyambok was removed from Chemelil, Jared Odhiambo Opiyo from South Nyanza (Sony), and Alfred Khang’ati from Nzoia Sugar Company.
In a move to formalise the recent leasing of state-owned sugar factories, President William Ruto and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe have revoked the appointments of board chairpersons and members at Chemelil, Nzoia and South Nyanza (Sony) sugar companies, citing the transition of the firms into private hands.
The shake-up comes days after the government completed the much-anticipated leasing of four public-owned mills, Chemelil, Nzoia, Sony and Muhoroni, to private companies in a bid to revive Kenya’s ailing sugar sector.
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"These factories are no longer public entities for the lease duration and therefore board members appointed by the government have to vacate office," Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said on Friday, confirming the transition.
President Ruto, in a gazette notice dated May 12, 2025, revoked the appointments of the board chairpersons at the three sugar companies. Eng John Nyambok was removed from Chemelil, Jared Odhiambo Opiyo from South Nyanza (Sony), and Alfred Khang’ati from Nzoia Sugar Company.
CS Kagwe revoked the appointments of multiple board members across the firms. These include UDA Homa Bay official Silas Jakakimba, who was serving as a board member of Sony Sugar.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6(1)(e) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with section 51(1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development revokes the appointment of Silas Jakakimba as a member of the Board of Directors of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited, with effect from the 12th May, 2025," reads the gazette notice.
Others removed from Sony's board are Catherine Wanjala Wangamati.
At Chemelil Sugar Company, Kagwe dismissed six directors, including Samwel Ogola Bonyo, Mary Simat, Henry Ntongai Mitu, David Kiplagat Kitur, Enricah Apiyo Dulo and John Kipyegon Chesiror.
Meanwhile, at Nzoia Sugar, those affected include Elizabeth Mudukiza Iminza, Patrice Chumba, Millicent Anyango Abudho, Benson Madebe Chahasi, Bonface Okhiya Otsiula and Okwakau Ino Jonathan. Kagwe also revoked the appointment of Caroline Chematui Temoi at the same firm.
“These changes are in line with the government’s strategic decision to hand over operations of these mills to private entities for a 30-year period,” Kagwe said.
Under the new arrangement, Nzoia Sugar will be operated by West Kenya Sugar Company, Chemelil has been taken over by Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries, Busia Sugar Industry Ltd will manage Sony, while West Valley Sugar Company has assumed operations at Muhoroni.
The government has said the lease agreements are aimed at reviving the industry, improving efficiency and ensuring farmers receive timely payment for their produce.
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