Willis Otieno slams sugar factory lease amid job crisis
By Aloys Michael, October 14, 2025Constitutional lawyer and Safina Party Deputy Party leader Willis Otieno has scoffed at the government’s plan to lease struggling sugar factories to private investors, saying it is legally indefensible and morally bankrupt.
In an X post on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Otieno condemned the handling of over 4,000 workers from Sony, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Nzoia sugar factories, arguing that their rights have been disregarded amid the leasing process.
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“What is happening to the workers of Sony, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Nzoia sugar factories is not just unfortunate but also legally indefensible and morally bankrupt,” Otieno stated.
He warned that the government cannot simply transfer public assets to private firms and then distance itself from the fate of long-serving employees.
“The government cannot lease public assets to private firms and then wash its hands of the fate of over 4,000 workers,” he said.
Otieno cited Article 41 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair labour practices, and the Employment Act, which protects workers from arbitrary dismissal.
He noted that employees had legitimate expectations that their rights would be upheld during any transition.
“A lease of public assets does not extinguish accrued rights. Terminal benefits, redundancy compensation, pension obligations, and fair notice remain binding on the State and the new lessees,” he wrote.
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His remarks come as affected workers continue to face uncertainty, with no clear commitment from either the government or private investors regarding compensation, benefits, or reemployment.
Otieno urged the government to ensure that all labour obligations are honoured before finalizing any leases, warning that ignoring these responsibilities sets a dangerous precedent for labour rights in Kenya.
Ruto on sugar firms
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has assured farmers and communities in sugar-growing regions that the government has not sold any state-owned sugar factories.
He clarified that the recent leasing of mills is a strategic move to inject efficiency and sustainability into the struggling sector.
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, Ruto addressed concerns over the fate of sugar factories, including Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Sony, following the government’s decision to lease them to private investors.
“Let it be clearly understood: neither the factories nor their land have been sold. They remain public property, leased under strict terms to private sector players to restore profitability, pay farmers on time, and turn around the industry,” Ruto said.
He noted that the competitive leasing of the four factories is part of broader agricultural reforms aimed at modernising the sector, improving farmer incomes, and safeguarding livelihoods in key sugar belts.
Ruto said inefficient mills, many of which operate on equipment over 50 years old, have been short-changing farmers by producing just one tonne of sugar from nearly 20 tonnes of cane.
In contrast, modern mills offer higher recovery rates, translating to better returns for cane growers.
“Outdated mills are not only uneconomical, but they also rob our farmers of the fruits of their hard work,” he said, stressing that milling efficiency is central to farmers’ interests.
The leasing, he explained, will enable factories to modernise operations, ensure consistent payment to farmers, and settle salaries and wages owed to workers, chronic issues under state management.