Sugarcane farmers in Busia County have reached a significant agreement to revive the Busia Out-growers Company (BOCO), an entity that has long been plagued by leadership wrangles and inefficiency. The decision was made during a farmers’ engagement forum held in Kisoko, Nambale Sub-County, and spearheaded by Mumias Sugar (2021) Limited.
Stephen Kihumba, Head of Operations and Administration at Mumias Sugar, announced that the forum resolved to begin immediate registration of farmers within two weeks to prepare for the election of new BOCO directors. “The registration will be done at the nearest chief’s office, and elections will follow within 21 days,” said Kihumba.
To safeguard BOCO’s assets during the transition, Kihumba directed that all company property, including tractors, be parked at the company weighbridge, while the organization’s bank account will be frozen until new leadership is in place. He added that Mumias Sugar had so far submitted Sh11.5 million to BOCO and repaired its tractors to enhance operational efficiency. In addition, the company paid Sh18.9 million to Busia County Government as cess.
Highlighting the economic benefits to farmers, Kihumba noted that Busia farmers received 60 percent of the company’s 2024 bonus payout, totaling Sh90 million. “The top delivering farmer, who brought in 2,900 tons of cane, also hailed from this county,” he said.
Kihumba emphasized the adoption of technology in operations, including digital harvesting permits and real-time alerts for cane deliveries. Meanwhile, Nambale Deputy County Commissioner Caroline Onchoka urged adherence to the new guidelines and warned interim leaders against interfering with the process, stating that legal action would be taken if violations occurred.
Farmers, including Fobian Omwaro and Joseph Barasa, decried the suffering caused by the illegal stay of interim officials in office and welcomed the move to reclaim control of BOCO. The revival initiative marks a turning point for sugarcane farmers in Busia, promising a more transparent and profitable future.
