The government has denied claims it had sold public sugar companies in the Western region to private investors.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told Parliament on Tuesday that those spreading information about the supposed sale of the firms had ill intentions, saying the leasing process was above board.
Kagwe, who appeared before the National Assembly Agriculture Committee amid uproar over leasing of the millers, said the government has only leased the firms and did this through a transparent process that received full parliamentary approval.
Further, Kagwe dismissed claims that the leasing process lacked transparency, insisting all stakeholders were involved from the beginning.
Kagwe, whose comments come following concerns from various leaders, including governors from Nyanza and Western counties, dismissed reports that the leasing of the companies was opaque, insisting that all stakeholders were involved.
''No sugar factory has been sold. It’s leasing that has been done, and Parliament approved the whole process. I dismiss assertions that the process was opaque, considering all stakeholders were involved,'' said Kagwe.
''We are ready to submit any document for scrutiny by Parliament and the general public, as requested, to assure the public on the lease process.''
The CS assured the public that the government remains committed to ensuring accountability in the process.
Supporting Kagwe’s remarks, National Assembly Agriculture Committee chairperson John Mutunga said the entire leasing process was subjected to parliamentary oversight.
''The sugar companies' leasing process was taken through Parliament; that's why other members are not worried. The leasing process was not restricted,'' Mutunga said.
On May 7, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o took a swipe at the government, condemning the fast-tracking of the leasing process for Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories.
In a statement, the county boss expressed outrage over what he described as an 'economic' coup against farmers and the people of western Kenya.
On Monday, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and his entourage were blocked while going to Nzoia Sugar Company to demand answers on the fate of the company and other factories in the sugar belt.
The government first announced its plan to lease the four sugar factories to private investors in October 2023 in a bid to revive the country's sugar sector.
