Bungoma: Police Teargas George Natembeya, Other Leaders Protesting Nzoia Sugar Lease

• Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya and other leaders were dispersed with tear gas after police blocked their attempt to access Nzoia Sugar Company
• The leaders addressed residents at Bukembe Market, accusing the government of crippling Western Kenya’s economy by handing over key industries to private interests
• Natembeya warned that leasing Nzoia Sugar to the same investor linked to the collapse of Webuye Pan Paper could destroy the region’s last remaining industrial asset

TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

A dramatic standoff unfolded on Monday, May 12, as Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya and a group of leaders were met with volleys of teargas.

The leaders were attempting to access the Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma County to protest its controversial lease to a private investor.

The confrontation came after the leaders addressed a charged gathering at Bukembe Market, where they voiced strong opposition to the government's plan to lease the ailing sugar mill.

The group accused the state of undermining the region's economic foundations through questionable privatisation moves.

In videos and photos seen by TUKO.co.ke, a heavy contingent of police officers was deployed to the area, blocking access roads and erecting barricades to prevent Natembeya’s convoy from reaching the facility.

Officers were captured lobbing teargas canisters at vehicles believed to be ferrying the leaders.

"Our people are suffering. The widespread poverty in Western Kenya is being orchestrated by the government. This was the only factory left for our people. They finished the ginnery, Kitinda, and Webuye Pan Paper Mill. We will not allow Nzoia Sugar to be killed as well," said Natembeya.

He further criticised the investor who is said to be interested in acquiring Nzoia Sugar, accusing him of previously running down the once-thriving Webuye Pan Paper Mills.

"The private investor who deceived the government into handing over Nzoia Sugar is the same one who brought down Webuye Pan Paper. That company was doing well. Now it is dead. If he gets here, Nzoia will collapse too," he added.

What did Natembeya say about the lease of Nzoia SUgar?

Natembeya questioned the rationale behind selling or leasing financially struggling state-owned entities, citing other troubled public institutions that have not been privatised.

"It doesn't mean that if a government company isn't doing well it should be sold. Kenya Airways is not doing well, and it hasn’t been sold. Public universities are struggling. Even the government itself is not doing well. If there’s anything that should be leased, it is the government," he stated.

He urged residents to resist the move, warning that allowing the investor in would mark the end of Nzoia Sugar, a vital economic lifeline in the region.

"Even if they bring the police or army, we will not be cowed. These officers are paid with our taxes. They must understand that if other Kenyans are suffering, they too will suffer," he said defiantly.

The governor maintained that the community would not accept the introduction of a private investor without proper consultation, warning that such actions would be reversed if the opposition took over national leadership.

Should President William Ruto cancel the Nzoia Sugar lease deal?

In a previous story covered by TUKO.co.ke, a group of Bungoma MPs urged President William Ruto to revoke the 30-year lease of Nzoia Sugar Company granted to businessman Jaswant Rai.

Led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and Bumula’s Jack Wamboka, the lawmakers argued that the deal went against the wishes of local residents and leaders.

Speaking during a press briefing, Kalasinga questioned why the government opted to lease the struggling mill instead of reviving it. He recalled Ruto’s 2022 campaign promise to install a new mill within 100 days of taking office, noting that nothing had materialised since.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke