Hope for farmers as Muhoroni Sugar opens its doors again

Sugar cane farmers in the country have a reason to smile after Muhoroni Sugar Company (MUSCO) reopened its doors again as government-driven revival efforts started bearing fruit.

In a statement dated August 18, the management invited farmers, marketing bodies, transporters and other stakeholders to start supplying their cane for milling at the company’s factory.

The resumption of operations at Muhoroni Sugar follows sustained recovery efforts of sugar millers in country’s sugar belt areas of Nyanza and Western regions by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“We are happy to inform all our cane farmers, marketing bodies and transporters that we have resumed receiving cane as from today August 18 in MUSCO 2025 weighbridge after the successful maintenance,” the company said.

“We wish to request all stakeholders to start supplying milling cane to our factory. Please note that all Farmers for the next 2 months will be recovered at Zone “A” rates Ksh748.00 per tonne, irrespective of their zones. The contractors will be paid as per the normal contract rates,” it said.

On Monday, President Ruto expressed optimism that the revival of the sugar sector had reached the penultimate stage, noting that Kenya will be producing enough sugar for local and export in just two years.

“Watch this space, in just two or maximum three years, Kenya will be an exporter of sugar. We have been looking for safeguards, we are going to change the sugar sector,” the President said.

The revival follows the move by the government to lease the four state-owned sugar factories: Nzoia, Sony, Chemilil and Muhoroni in May.

In January, President Ruto presided over the issuance of a  KSh150 million bonus for sugar farmers who supplied their cane to Mumias Sugar Factory, the first such payment in the sector.

The President said the historic bonus payment to farmers not only validates the success of the reforms introduced in the sugar sector, but is also evidence of the potential to uplift farmers and support tens of thousands of livelihoods.

“With a record 832,000 tonnes of sugar produced last year, Kenya is on course to attaining surplus production and commence regional exports by 2026, turning sugarcane cultivation into a viable and rewarding venture,” he said.