Written by Rosemary Wachiye |
The Nzoia sugarcane farmers are set to benefit from the new management at the Nzoia Out growers company (NOCO) the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Kingsley Mutali has said.
Mr.Mutali urged cane farmers to support the new management in its service so that it can benefit both farmers and the company.
Speaking at one of the polling centers in Bukembe primary during the elections for the District 1 and 5 Directors over the weekend, Mr. Mutali expressed his bitterness towards the former management that was trying to stop the elections of the new directors.
“The former management has been in court recently to stop the election of directors and this is because they have something to hide and want to continue being in power past the required time,” said Mr. Mutali.
He also revealed that there had never been Annual General Meetings in five years in a row and that the former management was in fear that with the new management the meetings will take place leading to farmers asking for accountability of the past five years’ service.
“With the new elected directors there will definitely be Annual General Meetings (AGM) contrary to the previous management to give a chance to the farmer’s representatives to view the working of the company,” said Mr. Mutali.
He also expressed his concern over the ownership of the Nzoia Sugar Company to be passed on to the stakeholders who are the cane farmers.
“I understand that two years ago the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) wrote to the former management of NOCO to work towards privatization of the Nzoia Sugar Company to the farmers and yet up to now they have not done it,” said Mr. Mutali.
Mr.Mutali promised that in his reign he will ensure that the farmers are given the priority in buying off Nzoia Sugar Company during the expected privatization of the company.
One of the farmers at the polling center, Mr. Edwin Kituyi called upon other farmers to elect competent leaders that will safeguard the farmers’ interests; a leader who will ensure that the cane are cut and collected on time from the farm, ensure that the fertilizers are given to farmers on time and that the farmers are paid well and on time.
“I urge my fellow farmers that we vote in leaders that will promote cane farming and ensure that farmer’s interests are prioritized,” said Mr. Kituyi
A lady farmer, Ms Alice Wafula complained that some of the farmer’s names were not on the voters’ list and raised concern that it may lead to some farmers not voting and so the elected leaders may not be the choice of all the farmers.
“The election process kicked off well but am just concerned about some of our names not being on the voter’s list and yet the leaders are supposed to be the choice of all farmers,” said Ms. Wafula
She also called on farmers to be keen and elect leaders that will focus on the farmer’s needs and interests and complained of the poor management by the former management.
“The cane from the field’s was not being collected on time and yet when the cane stays in the field after harvesting the weight goes down and we are paid less, we used to receive fertilizers of small quantities and sometimes later than the require time,” said Ms. Wafula.
The General Manager promised improved management and introduction of identity cards for Nzoia Cane farmers that will ease on the identity and it will be used in withdrawing cash from a farmer’s Bank that is to be set up at the company’s premises.
“In cooperation with the Kenya Sugar Board, we are going to set up a farmer’s Bank at our offices that will serve to pay the farmers their dues on time and save on the time and cost wasted to travel to town to withdraw the money,” said Mr. Mutali.
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