FARMERS DEFEND KIBOS SUGAR OVER CANE POACHING CLAIMS
BY JEFF OTIENO
Farmers drawn from cane growing zones of Muhoroni, Chemelil, Miwani and Nandi Hills have strongly defended the resilient sugar miller, Kibos sugar and Allied Industries, over claims that they are massively involved in cane poaching, which could be disastrous to other rival millers in the region.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu, the farmers took issue with the said millers, to intensify their managerial skills and rapport with the farmers, instead of resorting to hollow and endless blame games.
The farmers were reacting to press reports attributed to the said millers, which alleged that Kibos Sugar has of late embarked on abrasive scheme to encroach on the territories of other millers, in search for cane.
“This is a liberalized market, where we as farmers are free to exhibit willing, buyer willing seller doctrine”. Mr. James Moi, who is one of the representatives of a co-operative society in Chemase – Nandi, quipped to this writer.
“Our priority as Kenya sugar board is quality service, not mere talks, yet our farmers have suffered for ages at the hands of some of these none performing sugar outfits”, Nicholas Oricho, Kenya sugar board director thundered when asked to comment on the ragging row.
Oricho, whose area of jurisdiction is embroiled over the said controversy, further added that before they joined the fray, when they took over the mantle of leadership last year, some farmers had standing cane, which had over stayed in the farms for over 40 months, to the chagrin of the hapless farmers, who have domestic obligations to meet.
Kibos sugar, which is two years old since inception, installed a multimillion weigh bridge in Awasi a couple of months ago, a move which has been overwhelmingly applauded by farmers and local leaders.
Farmers from as far as the larger southern Nyanza (read Awendo zone) are even opting to bring their canes to the weigh bridge, and in a span of a week, their deliveries are impressively paid.
Asked by this writer to comment on poaching claims by his industry rivals, the Managing Director, Raju Chanan said theirs as a miller is to deliver to the farmer’s quality service, which the farmers have craved for ages.
“I think I’ve no time for cheap and parochial politics which cannot empower our people”, Raju told this journalist on the telephone.
A group of farmers from Nandi cane growing area early last week stunned the sugar fraternity, by going the full throttle of even backing the miller, by donating a huge chunk of land for free to pave way for another weigh bridge.
They further urged the resilient miller to consider putting a bid to take over the moribund Miwani Sugar, arguing that they have shown commitment and capability to run the outfit.
END