By Our Reporter.
SUGARCANE farmers in Nyando, Muhoni and parts of Nyakach Districts within Kisumu Kisumu County have welcomed the newly proposed Muhoroni Sugar Factory Receiver Managers saying the duo Dr Hezron McObewa and Oda Wakwabi will alleviate problems of cane farmers within the region.
McObewa is the current CEO of National NGO’s Council Board and runs a chain of hotels,schools, hospitals, orphanages and rescue centres while Wakwabi is the former Mumias Out growers CEO.
The farmers said they want managers who have knowledge in sugar industry like the two and called on Muhoroni MP James Onyango Koyoo and the man who contested Kisumu Senatorial seat James Ocholla Ogoda to cease interfering with the smooth operations of cane factories and farmers within the region..
They distanced themselves from the recent sentiments of Kenya Sugarcane Growers Association Secretary General Richard Ogendo who said that said the right procedure was not followed in selecting the candidates saying they are that was hired by Ogoda and Koyoo to attack Macobewa and Wakwabi .
“We know that Koyoo has taken a lot of money from some quarters promising them the said positions but has now backfired that’s why he is employing such underhand deals and he thinks Mcobewa can sponsor a candidate to challenge him as Muhoroni MP”said Joshua Owuor who is one of the farmers from the region..
He added that no any farmer stormed out of the meeting 500 farmers stormed out of the said meeting adding that many farmers had demanded to know what Koyoo and Ogoda have done to the farmers from the region
“Ogoda is fighting McObewa because he was the chief financier of Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and he became distant last during the interviews for Kisumu Public Service Board, I think that’s why he is fighting back thinking that McObewa had a hand in his rejection” they added
Wakwabi is said to have been rewarded by her close ally Billy Wanjala who chaired the Selection Committee of the Receiver Managers.
The farmers want the current managers Asa Okoth and Thomas Makeni out of the factory.
“The incoming Receivers Managers they can do commendable job,given their diverse administrative background ,they can pay farmers their bonuses and we hope they will pay Sh 300 million out of the Sh 500 million tax debt to KRA,” the farmers said.
The farmers also opposed the plan to disband Kenya Sugar Board saying it should left to regulate the sector.
“We want the government to let the farmers to be in charge of the sugar sector,” they added.
He said only a few individuals have been mandate to control the sugar sector hence minting money at the expense of the farmers.
“The state owned mills’ board must be reformed as required in the sugar sector to eradicate corruption,” Ogendo said.
On privatization, the farmers have demanded a share of 51 percent saying they are the key contributors in the sugar sector.
They warned both Koyoo and Ogoda that they risk facing the wrath of famers if they continue to incite idlers and outsiders who have no interest in cane farming against the incoming receiver managers was witnessed recently when they ferried people from as far as Siaya and Migori Counties and portrayed them as cane farmers during a recent Kenya Sugar Board meeting .
“Koyoo was elected by cane farmersand he should be very careful what he does to farmers as we are capable of making his leadership ungovernable” they added