President Uhuru Kenyatta issues Sh1bn cheque to sweeten cane growers’ lives

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday released Sh1.1 billion in a move to end Nyanza sugarcane farmers’ misery.

The money will go into clearing arrears the growers are owed by cane millers.

He also launched a Sh7 billion mosquito net distribution campaign that will cover 25 malaria-prone areas.

The Head of State announced the release of the funds at Sony Sugar company in Awendo when he presented the factory with a Sh447 million cheque to clear all arrears owed to Migori cane farmers till June this year.

Farmers who supply Muhoroni and Chemilil factories will also benefit from the Sh1.1 billion.

THE NEXT TWO DAYS

The President directed firms to pay farmers their July and August dues since sugar prices are now favourable.

“You should now start paying farmers promptly. There is no need for you to continue delaying payments to farmers, who deliver their cane to your factories.

“Payments to cane farmers should be prioritised before other expenditures,” President Kenyatta said.

The government had already deposited the money in the accounts of the respective companies, he said. The factories are expected to pay farmers in the next two days.

The President urged the sugar firms to change tact.

“Do not depend on government hand-outs but rather seek partnerships with investors to diversify your activities in other areas such as ethanol and power production.”

The Head of State warned illegal sugar importers that the government would not tolerate unscrupulous traders out to frustrate the efforts of sugarcane farmers.

He told farmers to make use of subsidised fertiliser and urged the county government to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture to help cane growers to diversify.

“The world we live in is very dynamic; things keep on changing, and, therefore, you should not rely on cane farming alone, but rather diversify your farming activities, Mr Kenyatta said.

“Get involved in horticultural farming, dairy keeping, and fish farming, which will cushion you when challenges occur in cane farming,” he added.

FUNDS TO MODERNISE

Sony Sugar managing director Jane Pamela Odhiambo thanked the President for the support, saying, the company requires more funds to modernise and diversify its operations.

On his way to Migori Primary School to launch the mass distribution of durable insecticide-treated mosquito nets, President Kenyatta made stopovers at Awendo and Uriri trading centres to acknowledge greetings from the public.

Governor Okoth Obado thanked the President for giving out money to clear millions in arrears owed to sugarcane growers in the vast Nyanza sugar belt.