Ruto Fires Entire Sugar Boards as Private Firms Take Over!
President William Ruto and Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe have axed entire boards of three major state-owned sugar firms — Chemelil, Sony, and Nzoia — effective immediately!
This explosive decision follows the controversial leasing of four public mills — Chemelil, Nzoia, Sony, and Muhoroni — to private companies, as the government ditches public control in a radical bid to resuscitate the crippled sugar industry.
In a dramatic Gazette notice dated May 12, 2025, President Ruto pulled the plug on the top leadership of these factories, officially dismissing board chairpersons Eng John Nyambok (Chemelil), Jared Odhiambo Opiyo (Sony), and Alfred Khang’ati (Nzoia). And that’s not all.
CS Kagwe slashed through the boards, firing UDA Homa Bay official Silas Jakakimba from Sony and clearing out directors at all three companies, including top names like Samwel Bonyo, Catherine Wangamati, and Caroline Temoi, among many others.
“These state mills are now under private hands for the next 30 years,” Kagwe declared, justifying the mass firings. “That means government-appointed board members must go.”
Here’s the new power structure:
- West Kenya Sugar takes over Nzoia
- Kibos Sugar & Allied controls Chemelil
- Busia Sugar Industry Ltd runs Sony
- West Valley Sugar Company now handles Muhoroni
The government claims this privatization blitz will turn around the sugar industry, ensure efficiency, and guarantee farmers are finally paid on time. But critics are already asking — who really wins in this deal?
