Nzoia Sugar workers protest nine months of salary arrears

There was a standoff at the Nzoia sugar factory on Friday after workers abandoned their tools and protested against delays in payment of wages.

The workers claim they have not received their salaries for nine months, with management making only empty promises.

“From July 2023 to date, we have already accumulated nine months of salary arrears. We call on the government to investigate Nzoia Suugar. These workers have endured enough and have reached the point of no return, and we will demand our rights “whether it’s night or day,” said Bernard Wanyonyi, head of the sugar workers’ union.

The workers also blamed the current management for the crisis facing the factory and called on the government to intervene and resolve their problems.

“Our sister companies are doing well. Where is Nzoia Sugar doing bad?” Miriam Wanyama, an employee of Nzoia Sugar Company, posed.

The protests come despite President William Ruto’s promise in August that Ksh150 million would be released within two weeks to pay salaries and settle arrears owed to sugarcane farmers.

The factory management, through board chairman Alfred Khangati, attributed the delay to the fact that the factory was not operating normally as cane crushing was halted.

However, he assured that efforts were underway to settle salary arrears.