MIWANI WARS INTENSIFY
BY JEFF OTIENO

The battle lines over the control of the moribund Miwani sugar Company has gone a notch higher with two local Mps, Fred Outa of Nyando constituency, and his Muhoroni counter part, Prof Ayiecho Olweny exchanging unprintable words in full glare of the public.

It all started when the Nyando legislator, Fred Outa went to the once giant miller with some three foreign investors, said to be harbouring interests to revive the company dormant factory.

The bone of contention was the fact that the visitors went to Miwani without consulting the area MP, Prof Ayiecho Olweny.

Working on a tip off, the enraged Prof Ayiecho, with some of his youths on toe, rushed to Miwani and started exchanging bitter words with Outa within the precincts of the plant, to the disbelief of the foreign investors being taken on a tour of the plant.

“We will not allow you to mess up the sugar sector the way you’ve messed up with West Kano Rice Farmers”, Olweny told defiant Outa.
“Who are you to stop me from coming to Miwani. I will come several times”, Outa told Olweny.

Sources close to the Nyando legislator confided to this writer that Outa’s impromptu visit to the plant was sanctioned from some powerful quarters in Nairobi, said to be harbouring interests in the plant, who don’t want their names in the open. No wonder, Outa wasn’t moved by Ayiechos out bursts.

Some stakeholders in the sugar sector, led by the Director of Kenya Sugar Board, Nicholas Oricho, have however thrown their weight behind CROSLEY LTD, which won the tender during 2008 auction.

“One of the associates of CROSLEY is a sugar expert with unrivaled track record. We are backing him to revive Miwani for the sake of our people”, Oricho told this journalist.

CROSLEY LTD put an impressive bid worth Kshs. 752 Million, and offered 30% stake to the locals, a move which has been applauded by most natives.

The revival of Miwani Sugar, which has been under receivership for ages, is said to being frustrated by a powerful Nyanza politician, because he is alleged to be nursing massive interests in taking controlling ownership, but he doesn’t have the capacity.
 
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