Businesswoman-cum politician Millicent Omanga has called out those criticising President William Ruto after initiating bonus pay to sugarcane farmers who have supplied cane to Kakamega’s Mumias Sugar Factory.
In a statement on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Omanga stated that sugarcane farmers deserve bonuses just like their counterparts in the tea and coffee sector terming critics as hypocritics.
“Cane farmers deserve bonuses just like their counterparts in the tea and coffee sector. I don’t think it can be empathised enough. Thus, those who are criticising the move by the president to initiate bonus pay to farmers in sugarcane growing areas are hypocritical,” she stated.
Bonus critics
Githunguri Member of Parliament (MP) Gathoni Wamuchomba on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, took Ruto to task, questioning whether the bonus initiative was a lifeline extended to all sugar companies in Western Kenya or merely a golden ticket reserved for Mumias alone.
In a statement via her official X account, the vocal lawmaker noted that as an elected representative, she could not recall a single parliamentary session where funds for sugar bonuses were discussed, let alone approved.
“Hi guys, I don’t know much about sugar farming. But I saw a bonus launch for Mumias sugar farmers. Was it a government Initiative.? So will all other sugar companies in western Kenya get it and when? I don’t remember passing any bonus funds in parliamentary budgets.
“All I recall is that the president vowed to clear all debts tied to coffee and sugar factories. But for coffee farmers, the promise remains just that—a promise!” she said.
Sugar bonus
On Monday, January 20, 2025, Ruto during his presidential development tour in the western region unveiled a Ksh150 million sugar bonus for farmers supplying cane to Kakamega’s Mumias Sugar Factory.
Ruto, during the launch, also highlighted that various strides had been made in reviving the struggling sugar industry and the cancellation of Ksh117 billion in debts, the settlement of Ksh1.7 billion in farmers’ arrears, and the payment of Ksh650 million owed to employees as part of a broader revival strategy.
“With a record 832,000 tonnes of sugar produced last year, Kenya is steering towards surplus production. By 2026, we’ll be exporting regionally, transforming sugarcane cultivation into a thriving, lucrative venture,” Ruto proclaimed.
Cane farmers deserve bonuses just like their counterparts in the tea and coffee sector. I don't think it can be empathised enough. Thus, those who are criticising the move by the president to initiate bonus pay to farmers in sugarcane growing areas are hypocritical.
— Hon Millicent Omanga (@MillicentOmanga) January 22, 2025
