Eugene Wamalwa condemns police brutality on Nzoia Sugar protesters
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has condemned the use of excessive force by the police during the peaceful protests in Bungoma to oppose the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company by the government.
Wamalwa, on Monday, May 12, 2024, in the company of Tans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Kabuchai constituency MP Majimbo Kalasinga, former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and activist Zachariah Baraza, joined farmers and workers of Nzoia Sugar Company in demonstrating against what they have termed as the illegal leasing.
Taking to his official X account, Wamalwa stated that the takeover of the factory by tycoon Jaswant Rai with all the land and other assets was a total violation of court orders.
”Armed with court orders with Wakili @NjiruAdv, Governor @GeorgeNatembeya , Senator @Cleophasmalala, Hon @KalasingerMajimbo, Hon @wamunyinyi, @ZachariahBaraza and a host of leaders from Western Kenya, we joined farmers and workers of Nzoia Sugar Company in demonstrating against the illegal leasing and purported forceful takeover by Rai of the sugar factory with all the land and other assets in total violation of court orders,” Wamalwa stated.
Live bullets and teargas
The former Defence Cabinet Secretary further stated that the police had used live bullets and teargas against the protesters, whom he says were largely peaceful.
According to Wamalwa, the police meted violence on the protesters at Bukembe market.
”The excessive use of force, live bullets and teargas against unarmed peaceful protesters in Bukembe, BUNGOMA County, today must be condemned, and the impunity displayed by the National Government with the collaboration of the County Government in protecting the violators of the court orders while tear-gassing the law-abiding citizens must be rejected by all Kenyans of good will,” he stated.
Nzoia Sugar leased
The government has completed the leasing of four public sugar factories.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government had officially handed over the operations of Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni sugar companies to private millers under a 30-year lease.
Kagwe said West Kenya Sugar Company will now operate Nzoia Sugar; Chemelil has gone to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries; Sony Sugar will be run by Busia Sugar Industry Ltd; while West Valley Sugar Company has taken over Muhoroni.
“Stakeholders in Kisumu, Parliament, and even the courts agreed—leasing was the right model. This is not just about turning profits; it’s about restoring dignity to the thousands of families that depend on sugar farming and processing,” he said.
The leasing model, Kagwe explained, was a departure from the previously proposed privatisation route that was rejected after further public participation and legislative review.
He said the plan now is to let private operators bring in capital, expertise, and efficiency, while the government focuses on oversight and accountability.
“The sugar sector has drained billions from taxpayers over the years. Now it’s time we let strategic investment drive its transformation,” Kagwe added.
The government has also reassured farmers, workers, and the public that it remains firmly committed to supporting the sector’s revival.
