Government moves to clear Ksh1.9 billion sugar workers’ arrears

The government has announced plans to pay Ksh1.9 billion in verified salary arrears owed to workers of four former state-owned sugar mills following their leasing to private investors.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Ronoh said the arrears had been fully audited and provided for in the national budget, clearing the way for payment to employees originally hired by the State before the transition.

Speaking at Chemelil Sugar Company in Kisumu, Ronoh said the government had committed to absorbing part of the mills’ legacy liabilities, including unpaid wages. He added that statutory deductions were also under audit and would be settled once verified.

The PS said priority would be given to workers not absorbed by new millers, noting that more than 80 per cent of employees had already been retained. Employment is expected to grow from 3,500 to about 10,000 as operations scale up.

However, the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) questioned the assurances, citing lack of clear payment timelines. Union officials warned that continued delays risk deepening unrest in the sugar sector.