Arsonists cause losses for Kenyan sugar cane farmers

Over 250 Kenyan sugar cane farmers who lost their crop to arsonists before it could be harvested, now face extra costs as they prepare to replant their fields. The farmers are contracted to the Mumias Sugar Company.

Mumias Outgrowers Company (Moco) chief executive officer, Charles Omega, said they were negotiating with the sugar miller to get a long term solution to cases of arson in the area, although most of the crop burnt recently was a result of the post-election violence.

Mr Omega said Moco had suffered immensely following the fires that gutted down about 300 hectares of sugar cane belonging to farmers, with losses of up to Sh50 million ($720,000). “Moco has lost 100 per cent, since we cannot harvest and deliver burnt cane to the sugar miller for crushing,” he said.

The sugar company offers services to 70,000 farmers affiliated to Moco, on behalf of the company, and recovers the pre-harvest services cost once sugar cane is delivered to the miller for crushing. The company also suffered losses when arsonists burnt over 500 hectares under sugar cane on its nucleus estate. Management said at the time that the firm had lost over Sh100 million worth of cane in the incident. The company, however, assured consumers that sugar supply would not suffer as a result.

Daily Nation