A section of Western leaders led by Speaker of the National Assembly and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula have told off leaders opposing the privatisation of Nzoia Sugar Factory, terming them enemies of development.

Speaking in Bungoma, Wetang’ula assured sugarcane farmers that the leasing plan to breathe life into the sugar miller was well-intended to restore lost fortunes for those who rely on it.

Accompanied by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and a host of MPs during the commissioning of a dormitory unit built by the Kenya Pipeline Company Foundation at the Cardinal Otunga Girls’ High School.

The Ford Kenya leaders further urged Western residents to ignore Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and other leaders for ‘misleading’ the region.

“The Nzoia Sugar Factory is being revived. Now that the investor has come in, you have seen people making noise and making unnecessary accusations towards me and those supporting the move,” he said.

The Speaker accused the politicians of inciting farmers to oppose the plan for selfish politics.

“There is someone who doesn’t even grow sugarcane, someone who doesn’t farm anything. Someone like Eugene Wamalwa. I’ve never even heard that he plants groundnuts. Nothing at all. But he’s here, making a lot of noise. People shouldn’t interfere. Let’s improve Nzoia,” the Ford Kenya leader noted.

The Speaker said Wamalwa, Natembeya, and other leaders opposing the revival of the sugar sector in the region are doing so for their own interest while offering no solution.

Kanduyi MP John Makali vowed to support the leasing and reviving of the factory.

“As Kanduyi MP, Nzoia Sugar is in this Constituency, we are in the position of an expectant mother. Nzoia must be able to work, farmers must be paid, workers must be paid, it must remain a heritage for Bungoma people, we cannot do the same thing and expect different results,” Makali stated.

Governor Lusaka joined the Speaker in imploring the residents to support the government’s bid aimed at ensuring their livelihoods are improved.

“We need Nzoia to work for farmers to benefit and work as to benefit, retirees said they will come to see me, I don’t have a problem, and the good news is that Ksh7.7 million has already been sent to pay the retirees of Nzoia, as I speak today. And we are here to ensure that you benefit as much as you can. The workers will be paid on time so that they also benefit the way other people are benefiting in other areas,” Wetang’ula stated.

Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli decried the actions of Luhya leaders opposing the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company for misleading people and divisive politics.