Farmers blame Kidero for crisis at Mumias

What you need to know:

  • Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Deputy Secretary Simon Wesechere yesterday said the problem facing Mumias started when Dr Kidero was still working for the firm.
  • Dr Kidero has been on record denying any wrongdoing while he was at the helm of Mumias Sugar Company.
  • Mr Wesechere said the more than 80,000 farmers from the Mumias sugar zone contributed to the cane development fund. He said Sh6 was deducted from every tonne of cane they delivered to the factory.

Cane farmers on Monday said the financial and management crisis at Mumias Sugar Company started during Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero’s tenure.

They said Dr Kidero has been covering up his mismanagement of the struggling sugar miller when he was the managing director.

Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Deputy Secretary Simon Wesechere yesterday said the problem facing Mumias started when Dr Kidero was still working for the firm.

He said it was during Dr Kidero’s tenure that a robust cane development programme was crippled when billions of shillings set aside to support growers was taken away.

“Mumias Outgrowers Company (Moco) directors, under the chairmanship of Vincent Sambula, were hoodwinked into approving the transfer of Sh3.7 billion from a Moco/Mumias Sugar joint current account to a Mumias Sugar account,” said Mr Wesechere.

Dr Kidero has been on record denying any wrongdoing while he was at the helm of Mumias Sugar Company.

He, instead, accused his successor, Mr Peter Kebati, of failing to control cane poaching. He also accused Mr Kebati of failing to initiate a better cane development programme. The governor has asked Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale to apologise for linking him to the troubles at Mumias Sugar Company.

Mr Wesechere said the more than 80,000 farmers from the Mumias sugar zone contributed to the cane development fund. He said Sh6 was deducted from every tonne of cane they delivered to the factory.

“This was a well-thought-out management system for cane farming. Unfortunately, the illegal transfer of the farmers’ billions from one account to another was the genesis of all the problems facing farmers,” he said. He said Dr Kidero could absolve himself from blame and should be held responsible for the problems facing the miller.

Mr Wesechere said the new board could not have committed all the mistakes that have shaken Mumias given the short period it has been in charge of the company.

“It is annoying that he (Dr Kidero) comes out to say that the company was well when he left in 2012 and that the management that took over is to blame. Dr Kidero’s successor was the financial manager when he was at the helm. The company was on its knees by the time he was leaving.”

He said farmers decided to sell their crop to rival firms after being frustrated by the management style at the miller during Dr Kidero’s tenure.