[Source: Business Daily, by Benson Amadala]
The controversy surrounding the 33-year lease for an 8,700-acre nucleus estate used by Mumias Sugar Company for cane development is now before the National Assembly, amid a legal case initiated by affected families seeking to repossess the land.
At the centre of the row are families — locally referred to as Abahuyi (Luhya word for immigrants) — battling to resettle on the land after the lease granted to the miller expired in 2001.
Some 649 families from Mumias are battling to get back the land. They argue that the miller had not sought an extension of the lease and that they were yet to be compensated by the government.
Abahuyi are a group of families from the Wanga community who are said to have been moved from their homes in the early 1970s to create room for the nucleus estate.
Area MP Benjamin Washiali has asked Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri to provide a detailed statement to the National Assembly on the status of the nucleus estate and shed light on the government’s plans after the expiry of the lease.
The MP, who raised the issue on the floor of the House, is seeking answers to plans for leasing out of the nucleus farm to third parties by the management of the financially struggling sugar miller.
Mr Washiali further wants the government to clarify whether the land has been transferred from individual ownership to the Mumias Sugar Company.
Mr Washiali raises the issue of whether the miller has a right to lease the land to third parties without the knowledge of its owners.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya opposed the move and formed a 13-member committee to come up with a revival plan for the ailing miller.
Mumias Sugar has been using the nucleus estate for cane development to ensure supply of raw material to sustain milling operations.
A case filed by the families is currently pending before a Kisumu court.
The Abahuyi, through the Abahuyi Mumias Nucleus Association, have vowed to fight until they get back their land.
[Full article: Business Daily, by Benson Amadala]
