The fire consumed the boiler and some key machines following an electric fault.
Drama unfolded at Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma County on Thursday evening after fire burnt down key machines throwing the management and the workers in confusion.
MD Wanjala Makokha
The fire consumed the boiler and some key machines following an electric fault.
It took the efforts of the company and the county government fire department vehicles to put off the fire.
The firm managing director CPA Michael Wanjala said that it was unfortunate for the boiler toburn down at this crucial moment.
“It wasn’t for our own making, it is an accident which nobody anticipated, luckily the fire was put off by our fire extinguishers assisted by the fire department from the county government of Bungoma,” he said.
Wanjala called on farmers and other stakeholders not to panic over the incident as they are working on how to fix it and let the machine continue crushing cane.
Last month, the MD said that Kenya Revenue Authority had picked Sh20 million from the Firm’s account to repay its owed taxes hence making it difficult for the company to settle farmers payment on time.
“Am requesting the government to help us with enough funds to pay our farmers, meanwhile let our farmers who are the main stakeholders be patient a bit as we work on the plan to pay them,” he said.
Off late there has been a debate surrounding the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Factory and other firms something that has raised issues with human rights activists.
A Bungoma farmer and a lobby group member Jack Munialo moved to Bungoma high court to stop leasing of Nzoia sugar factory adding that it will deprive area residents of their rights to shareholding.
“The court granted me orders stopping the leasing until the matter is heard and determined, meanwhile the issue has been halted as we wait for the high court ruling,” said Munialo.
