- Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and other officials were dispersed in tears after police blocked their attempt to enter Nzoia’s sugar company
- The leaders addressed residents in the Bukembe market, accusing the government of undermining the Western Kenya economy by handing the essential industries to personal interests
- Natembeya warned that leasing Nzoia Sugar to the same investor associated with the collapse of Webuye Pan Paper could destroy the final industrial property remaining in the area
A fierce dispute broke out on Monday, May 12, when Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and a group of officials were facing tears from police officers.
Source: Twitter
The leaders were trying to reach Nzoia’s sugar company in Bungoma County to oppose its complex lease to a private investor.
The confrontation came after the leaders addressed the Bukembe market, where they strongly opposed the government’s plan to lease the sugar milling factory that suffers from the disease.
The group condemned the situation by undermining the region’s economic foundations through suspicious privatization measures.
In a video and photos that TUKO.co.ke stared at the eye, a large series of police officers were sent to the scene, closing the entrance roads and imposing barriers to prevent Natembeya caravan from reaching the center.
Officials were caught throwing tear gas on vehicles believed to carry the leaders.
“Our people are suffering. Poverty widespread in western Kenya is coordinated by the government. This was the only factory left for our people. Natembeya said.
He also criticized the alleged investor interested in buying Nzoia Sugar, accusing him of running a Pan Paper Mills paper manufacturing factory that had fought.
“A private investor who has fired the government to hand over Nzoia Sugar is the one who dropped the Pan Paper. The company was doing well. Now it is dead. When he gets here, Nzoia will fall too,” He added.
Source: Twitter
What did Natembeya say about the lease of Nzoia’s sugar factory?
Natembeya questioned the reasons for selling or leasing government financial agencies, citing other public institutions that have not been privatized.
“It does not mean that if a state company is not doing well it should be sold. Kenya Airways It is not doing well, and is not sold. Public universities are interrupted. Even the government itself is not doing well. If there is anything that should be leased, it is the government, “he said.
He called on residents to oppose the move, warning that allowing the investor would signify the end of Nzoia Sugar, an important economic dependency in the area.
“Even if they bring the police or the army, we will not be afraid. These officers are being paid our taxes. They must understand that if other Kenyans suffer, they will also suffer,” He said with contempt.
The governor held that the community would not accept the establishment of a private investor without adequate consultation, while warning that such actions would be revoked if opposition would take national leadership.
Will President William Ruto cancel the Nzoia Sugar lease program?
In a preceding news released by TUKO.co.ke, a group of Bungoma MPs demanded the President William Ruto Remove the 30 -year rent of Nzoia’s sugar company given to businessman Jaswant Rai.
Led by Kabuchai MP Kalasinga and Jack Wamboka of Bumula, the MPs argued that the plan went against the wishes of residents and local leaders.
Speaking during a meeting with the media, Kalasinga questioned why the government decided to rent a mill that had problems rather than revive it. He reiterated Ruto’s promise in the 2022 campaign to install a new mill within 100 days after holding the post, noting that nothing had been done since then.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
