Sugarcane farmers want state to clear Sh300 million arrears
Nyanza
By
Anne Atieno
| Jul 30, 2025
Sugarcane farmers in Migori County now want the government to clear Sh300 million arrears owed to them.
The farmers said that the arrears have accrued between October 2024 to April 2025.
They lamented that they lack funds to pay school fees, health care and buy food.
Charles Atiang’a, the national chairman of Kenya Association of Sugarcane and Allied Products, urged the government to clear the Sh300 million arrears that accrued during the Sony Sugar Company’s former management which was in office for only 10 months.
READ MORE
Help,my cows are not producing enough milk
Insurers now warm up to health cover for the elderly
Why Kenya's affordable housing push must prioritise security, comfort
Food, energy price hikes yield higher inflation in July, says KNBS
Why insurance could be the game-changer for your small business in times of crisis
KenGen starts geothermal exploration in Tanzania's Mbeya region
Acorn reports Sh457 million half-year profit
EABL posts Sh12b profits, to give Sh8 dividend
Court gags faction of wrangling Directline shareholders over shares sale
“Our concern is that during the transition, the government said the old debts belonged to it. Farmers have children to take to school among other obligations,” Mr Atiang’ said.
South Nyanza Farmers Association secretary general Sylvester Oketch regretted that farmers were yet to be paid despite their constant pleadings.
“Sony Sugar Company has farmers arrears. We want the farmers paid as fast as possible because they also have pressing needs which they have to address,” Mr Oketch said.
He said that for farmers to continue engaging in agriculture they needed to be paid their arrears.
“If at all the government would take long before paying farmers, the new investor which took over the company should pay farmers the arrears and bill government,” he said.
Aggrey Ondiek, a farmers said, they have no other avenues of getting funds since some of them have loans.
Moreover, the farmers want the company’s new management to retain 70 per cent of workers who were at the company before they took over its leadership.
The milling company is expected to phase off former employees in October 2025.
Sony Sugar Company’s management was taken over by founder and Managing Director of Busia Sugar and Allied Companies Ali Taib in May 2025.
Taib declared that he would not settle previous debts, leaving farmers’ hopes pegged on the government’s promise to clear their arrears.
Efforts to get a comment from the miller was futile.