BY JEFF OTIENO
A case in which CROSLEY HOLDINGS LIMITED and others have been charged by KACC for having allegedly tried to acquire huge chunks of land owned by the moribund and controversy plagued Miwani Sugar Company was adjourned to 8th Nov. due to technical reasons.
The court battle which has taken over a month now turned dramatic when hired goons and transporters bayed for the blood of their pay masters in the park facing the Kisumu High Court.
A prominent transporter of Asian origin based in Chemelil is said to have hired the services of the goons of about 200 together with 10 matatus in a desperate bid to attract attention many observers could not immediately establish.
The enraged goons who talked to this writer appointed an accusing finger to a one time KESGA official and a farmer from Chemase Zone for fleecing them of their money yet they had performed their part in the precincts of the court as earlier envisaged.
The enraged goons who had allegedly been fleeced off their money had to brave the scorching sun back to their various destinations.
As for the farmers who were heading to Chemase Zone, a quick intervention of a local politician cum farmer salvaged their neck when he volunteered to ferry them home.
Farmers around Kibos, Chemase, Miwani and Muhoroni are further accusing the transporter of Asian origin for fleecing them of their money by inflating rates courtesy of selective deliveries to specific sugar factories.
A war of words is prevalent in the sugar fraternity with local millers neighbouring the resilient Kibos Sugar accusing it of offering unattainable rates to farmers strategically to frustrate other millers.
Kibos which is currently under maintenance to the tune of 400 million pays Kshs.3000 per tone and is expected to start crushing early November.
In order to entrench their grip among the farming community the vibrant miller has embarked on aggressive social responsibility programme quest where they offer bursary to the children of needy farmers and building and refurbishment of local institutions like schools in the area.
During a brief interview with this writer, the chairman of the Miller Raju Channan said the move to embrace the local farming community isn’t “short-lived” but a policy by the firm.
Over 30 children are beneficiaries so far and the number is set to sky rocket.
“We have further spent a staggering 300 million for cane planting for out growers”. Raju told the press.
Kibos which is geared for expansion will early next year launch co-generation project part of which will go the national grid. “Plans to install more weigh bridges to conform to sugar act and to avert usual spillages in the sector have also been finalized”, the Chairman added.
Crosley Holdings Limited is among group of companies associated with Sugar guru Raju Channan.
END.