Court orders closure of Busia Sugar company sparking protests

By Judith Akolo

Sugar cane farmers in Busia County have expressed their displeasure at a ruling by the court to shut down Busia Sugar Company.

They claim the decision would be to the detriment of the Busia sugar cane farmers and the development of the county.

the decision by a Bungoma Court to shut down the multibillion shilling Busia sugar factory in Busibwabo, Nambale Sub-County emanated from a petition by West Kenya Sugar Company which has a cane crushing centre at Olepito in Teso South constituency approximately 15 kilometers from Busibwabo.

The successful petition against Busia Sugar factory was on grounds that Busia Sugar factory acquired its license illegally and unlawfully.

The farmers however claim the ruling will adversely affect their livelihoods that have been depending on Busia Sugar Factory.

In 2015, the interim Sugar Directorate boss Rosemary Mkok directed West Kenya to stop the construction of a sugar milling plant at Olepito in Teso South as it was a few kilometers from Tangakona where Busia Sugar Company had a sugar cane weigh bridge.