Former employees of the defunct Mumias Sugar Company have once again raised their voices in protest over the Sh2.3 billion in unpaid salary arrears, urging the new investor, Sarrai Group, to clarify its stance on the matter. The disgruntled workers, led by their chairman Patrick Mutimba, staged a demonstration in Mumias, demanding that the company honor its obligations to the former staff.
The workers’ frustration has been growing over the past three years since Sarrai Group took over the sugar mill in December 2021, following a long period of receivership. Despite the government’s intervention in settling arrears for workers at other struggling sugar factories such as Nzoia, Muhoroni, Sony, and Chemilil, Mumias has been notably absent from this list, leading to a sense of betrayal and hopelessness among the ex-employees.
Mutimba emphasized that the non-payment of their dues has had severe personal consequences. “The money we are asking for, once paid, would significantly transform our lives and families at the same time restore hope and dignity,” he said. He also stressed that Sarrai Group’s failure to uphold its responsibilities is not only an economic burden on the workers but also detrimental to the broader economic and social fabric of the region, where the sugar industry is a vital source of income.
The lack of investment in cane development by Sarrai has only exacerbated the situation. Neighboring sugar mills have also suffered from this neglect, leading to a decrease in cane production and increased competition for limited resources. This has destabilized the entire sugar industry in Western Kenya, affecting not just the former employees of Mumias but also the livelihood of thousands of farmers and workers across the region.
While the workers have been vocal about their plight, calls and messages to Sarrai Group’s top management have gone unanswered. A senior manager at the company, who requested to remain anonymous, told the Star that the company was unaware of the protests. According to the manager, the workers may have been responding to recent communications from the Treasury, which indicated that arrears for workers in other mills were being paid, but Mumias had not been included in this arrangement.
“The only support the President has given Mumias is ordering the withdrawal of all court cases filed against the company,” the manager added. This statement reflects the government’s efforts to clear legal obstacles, but it does little to alleviate the financial suffering of the former employees, who have seen no tangible results from these efforts.
The workers, many of whom have been waiting for their arrears for years, claim that their patience is wearing thin. Some of them have tragically passed away while still awaiting payment, and many others are facing severe financial hardship. “People are dying because of depression, but the government and Sarrai are silent on our arrears,” said Hezron Kongani, one of the workers, adding that the lack of financial support has led to the dropping out of children from school due to unpaid fees.
Despite withdrawing their case in 2023 in the hope that Sarrai would honor its obligations and revive the company, the workers’ optimism has been shattered. “We withdrew a court case in good faith, believing that Sarrai Group, the new investor, would rejuvenate the company and settle outstanding arrears,” Mutimba explained. However, three years later, the situation remains unresolved, with no clear indication of when or if the arrears will be paid.
In contrast, the government has recently allocated Sh546 million for sugar reforms in Nzoia, Muhoroni, Sony, and Chemilil Sugar companies. This funding, part of the 2024/2025 financial year budget, is aimed at addressing the ongoing struggles of these mills, with Nzoia Sugar receiving a portion to pay workers’ salaries and maintain the factory. However, this support has yet to extend to Mumias Sugar, leaving the workers feeling neglected and forgotten.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Sh2.3 billion arrears continues to cloud the future of the former Mumias Sugar workers. Their demands for clarity from Sarrai Group and the government’s intervention in resolving this issue are becoming increasingly urgent, especially as the festive season approaches, with many workers unable to provide for their families due to the lack of payment. It remains to be seen whether Sarrai will step forward to address the workers’ grievances or if further protests will follow in the coming weeks.
