Three key sugar company board chairs saw their appointments withdrawn as the drama surrounding Kenya's sugar sector took a fresh twist on Monday, May 12.

President William Ruto terminated the tenures of John Nyambok (Chemelil Sugar), Alfred Khang’ati (Nzoia Sugar), and Jared Opiyo (South Nyanza Sugar) with immediate effect amid a high-stakes restructuring of Kenya's sugar sector.

In a gazette notice, at least 20 other board members across the three companies also lost their positions as a result of the shake-up.

Notably, the move came just two years after former Awendo MP Jared Odhiambo Opiyo and his counterpart John Nyambok were appointed on a three-year term.

The entrance of Chemelil Sugar Company in Kisumu County

Photo

NMG

Jared Opiyo had been appointed to lead South Nyanza Sugar’s board in 2023, while Nyambok had taken the helm at Chemelil Sugar. Khang’ati, a former Kanduyi MP, was appointed at Nzoia Sugar.

The revocations followed the takeover of private investors, who officially took charge at Chemelil and Muhoroni Sugar Companies, in a move that has been met with resistance from various stakeholders.

Last Friday, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe confirmed that Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited had been awarded after a highly competitive lease process.

The leasing agreement replaced an earlier privatisation proposal, which the government was forced to scrap following public backlash.

While the four factories have since been handed over to the companies for management for 30 years, there is a wave of uncertainty about whether the agreement will suffice, especially after protests emerged in Bungoma on Monday as residents protested Nzoia Sugar Company's privatisation.

Amid the chaos, police blocked Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, several Members of Parliament, and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa from accessing the Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma.

A roadblock was positioned at Matisi Bridge in Bungoma to stop the governor and his entourage from accessing the company.

On Sunday, during a church service in his county, Governor Natembeya vowed to march to the company to demand why the company and PanPaper Mills were sold. 

DAPK leader Eugene Wamalwa(military-like gear) with other leaders at Matisi Bridge in Bungoma County, where they were blocked by the police on May 12, 2025.

Photo

Sammy