Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday, May 12, 2025, paid a courtesy call to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.

Taking to his official X account, Raila revealed that CS Kagwe had stopped by his office to bring him up to speed on farm and agricultural reforms and food security.

The former prime minister emphasised the need for mechanisation and value addition to the country’s produce to make them competitive in the region.

”CS Mutahi Kagwe stopped by to bring me up to speed on farm and agricultural reforms and food security. We must undertake mechanisation and value addition to our produce to make them competitive in the region,” Raila stated.

CS Mutahi Kagwe stopped by to bring me up to speed on farm and agricultural reforms and food security. We must undertake mechanisation and value addition to our produce to make them competitive in the region. pic.twitter.com/ujvUbjWL2O

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) May 12, 2025

Sugar factories leased

The meeting comes days after the government completed the leasing of four public sugar factories.

CS Kagwe said the government had officially handed over the operations of Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni sugar companies to private millers under a 30-year lease.

Kagwe said West Kenya Sugar Company will now operate Nzoia Sugar; Chemelil has gone to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries; Sony Sugar will be run by Busia Sugar Industry Ltd; while West Valley Sugar Company has taken over Muhoroni.

 “Stakeholders in Kisumu, Parliament, and even the courts agreed—leasing was the right model. This is not just about turning profits; it’s about restoring dignity to the thousands of families that depend on sugar farming and processing,” he said.

The leasing model, Kagwe explained, was a departure from the previously proposed privatisation route that was rejected after further public participation and legislative review.

He said the plan now is to let private operators bring in capital, expertise, and efficiency, while the government focuses on oversight and accountability.

“The sugar sector has drained billions from taxpayers over the years. Now it’s time we let strategic investment drive its transformation,” Kagwe added.

The government has also reassured farmers, workers, and the public that it remains firmly committed to supporting the sector’s revival.

Leaders oppose the lease

However, political leaders from the Western Kenya region have opposed the move, arguing that the factories have been handed over to private millers at a throwaway price.

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have vowed to oppose the move to lease out Nzoia Sugar. The leaders argue that if the factory must be leased, it must be done at a reasonable price.