A long-time plight of sugarcane farmers finally got to the right ears as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri on Monday announced that the National Treasury has released Sh2.7 billion towards their payment.
The Agriculture CS make the announcement alongside opposition leader Raila Odinga after their meeting in Nairobi.
Mr Kiunjuri further added that the persistent problems facing the sugarcane industry will become a thing of the past.
At the same time, the ODM leader decried that for a long time has been pumping billions into the sugarcane industry but the problem of delayed payments to farmers has persisted.
Mr Kiunjuri revealed that the presidential task force, formed as a result of leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake, was used to get the government to release the funds.
The task force role was to review the policy of the sugar industry, check on the emerging challenges facing the industry, do research and review sugar imports.
“We realised that we cannot talk to farmers who have not been paid. We will conclude their payment then have our final sitting and come up with the report to hand over to President Kenyatta,” the CS said.