After the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) ordered to close down operations to the Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Ltd (KSAIL) over polluting River Kibos, the 10,000 tonnes of sugarcane is rotting in its premises.
The action was taken as the polluted water ends up in Lake Victoria causing damage to the aquatic animals in the region. The officials of KSAIL led by Zedekiah Odhiambo have written to the Kisumu Governor and the regional NEMA office to allow resume operations to crush the remaining 10,000 tons of sugar.
Odhiambo stated that along with crushing rotten cane, there was need to harvest more than 3,00,000 tons of mature cane grown in the fields ahead of rainy season anticipated soon.
They had earlier conducted a peaceful demonstration on Kisumu streets terming the action as a political move which is affecting farmers and employees of the company.
According to Kenya’s media report, Francis Wangara who is the Secretary General of Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation Workers (KUSPW) said the matter has been politicised by creating a wedge between the sugar firm and other stakeholders through non-existent claims of air pollution.
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