Former employees recalled as Mumias Sugar Company resumes operations
The Mumias Sugar Company commenced its operations on December 1, 2023, welcoming cane deliveries from farmers as it initiated activities in the formerly prominent Sugar Miller.
The company has expressed its intention to distribute sugar to the market once it obtains approval from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and other relevant agencies.
The management has already summoned 787 former employees to return to work, and additional staff are anticipated to report on Monday, specifically in the Sugar Packing area.
Stephen Kihumba, the Manager overseeing operations and administration, mentioned that more ex-employees would be engaged on a as-needed basis, with further opportunities expected in the Cogen and Ethanol plant.
Addressing farmers, Kihumba assured them that the miller would promptly compensate them for cane supply every week, without any delays. He emphasized that the company is poised for success, urging Kenyans to keep an eye on it, as farmers stand to benefit from their investments in sugarcane farming.
Kihumba encouraged farmers to cultivate sugarcane and advised harvesting only mature cane that has reached 16 months of age to ensure optimal weight and sucrose content, maximizing returns from their efforts.
The company has established the price for a tonne of sugarcane at Ksh 6,050, prompting other millers to adjust their prices for the advantage of farmers.
“We believe we can give more support to our farmers because we are sure that the cane we receive is coming within our region, there is no transfer of cane to other regions,” he stated
Kihumba mentioned that the company has cultivated sugarcane on 1,400 hectares out of the 3,400 hectares of nucleus land owned by the company.
“I wanted to do 1800 to 2000 hectares this year so that by next year I will be able to cover it all. But what I can say is that currently, we have sufficient seed cane from the 1400 hectares of the nucleus to be able to plant the remaining part of the nuclear estate,” he said
“Cane development is key for us for this company to be sustained, we need to get back farmers on board, farmers who had already given up, who had been frustrated, we want to tell them it is time they go back to their farms, they will earn better, they will be paid promptly and they will get sufficient support that they may so require,” he noted
The company will also increase the freight in terms of tractors to help in transporting sugarcane as more farmers are signing up with the miller.
“I also take this opportunity to thank the government, the President, the county governor, and the leadership for the support they have given us, for standing with us and even prevailing upon many of the legal masters that have been there,” he added.
The Agricultural and Food Authority (AFA) has instructed the company to commence crushing 2,500 tons of sugarcane daily for the next two months, concluding at the end of January. Following a survey to assess the regional sugarcane supply, AFA will provide guidance on whether to enhance the crushing capacity or maintain the existing rate.
As per Kihumba, Mumias Sugar Company has the potential to crush 8,400 tons of sugarcane daily once the miller achieves full operational capacity.
