The Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) has announced a nationwide strike from Monday, citing the government’s failure to settle salary and terminal benefits arrears owed to workers at leased state-owned mills, estimated at about KSh1.9 billion. Union Secretary General Francis Wangara said employees at Muhoroni, Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony Sugar will down tools unless payments are made or a firm, time‑bound commitment is issued before the Christmas break.
Wangara, addressing the media in Kisumu, said the arrears affect workers declared redundant during the transition to private management as well as staff absorbed by new operators but still owed benefits.
He noted that private millers reduced the workforce after taking over operations, leaving some employees without jobs and unpaid dues. KUSPAW wrote to the government on December 15, demanding settlement by December 19, warning that failure to comply would trigger industrial action; he added that there has been no formal communication or commitment to date.
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“From Monday, workers should not report to work until their payments are made,” Wangara said, urging new investors to respect workers’ constitutional right to strike and reiterating that the obligation to clear legacy arrears rests with the State. He added that any miller willing to pay could proceed and seek reimbursement from the government thereafter. The union accused authorities of “playing games” with workers’ livelihoods and vowed not to back down, saying continued silence is deepening hardship.
Asked about legal action, Wangara said the immediate focus is on securing payment through engagement with the Ministry of Labour and the transition structures overseeing the handover. He pointed to a December 6 transition committee resolution that payments be made before Christmas, a decision he says remains unimplemented. County‑level unrest, he warned, is likely to escalate if the impasse persists.
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The strike threat comes amid sugar sector reforms in which private investors took over management of the four mills earlier this year to revive production, improve efficiency and reduce losses.
The leasing framework was expected to stabilize operations while the State settled legacy debts, including salary arrears and terminal benefits. However, KUSPAW says outstanding dues across the sector, including retirement benefits, are now estimated at over KSh10 billion, raising questions about the pace and effectiveness of reform and fuelling growing labour dissatisfaction.
By Fredrick Odiero
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