Sony Sugar farmers urge MPs to fast-track Ksh 375M arrears

Sugarcane farmers in Migori County are calling on the National Assembly to fast-track disbursement of Ksh 375 million in unpaid arrears owed to them by Sony Sugar Company.

The mentioned sum had been allocated through supplementary budget to clear the pending payments for cane deliveries to the sugar company.

South Nyanza Farmers and Business Community Network Chairperson Evans Felix Otieno said that farmers have suffered for more than a year without pay despite promises from the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We were told the money would be released in July this year, but nothing has come through, and our patience is running out,” he said.

The network’s secretary general Sylvester Wasonga called on Budget and Appropriations Committee Chaired Samuel Atandi, alongside sugar belt MPs from Migori to act with urgency.

The official added that if the money will not release by September 31 this year, farmers will not have an option but to go on strike.

South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited was officially handed over to the new investor, Busia Sugar Limited, owned by Ali Ahmed Taib, in May this year after winning the international tender floated by the National Government in February 2025.

The Awendo-based sugar mill will now be operated by Busia Sugar for the next 30 years, according to the lease agreement.