Muhoroni Sugar Company resumes full operations

The Muhoroni Sugar Company has resumed full operations, injecting a significant economic boost to the regions of Kisumu and Kericho Counties. This development comes just over a year after the state-owned miller was leased to West Valley Sugar, a subsidiary of the Kipchimchim Group. General Manager James Oluoch praised the reopening, stating that it has led to enhanced money circulation and weekly payments to farmers, a historic milestone.

"We are paying all the farmers that bring cane within one week. The business and local community are happy because there is a lot of money circulation," he noted.

Oluoch also highlighted the reduced crime rate due to increased employment opportunities in the sugarcane farms. Finance head Richard Kirui echoed similar sentiments, expressing optimism about the factory's potential for sustainability through strong partnerships with farmers. "We have devised a way that we are able to sustain the factory through strong partnership with the farmers where we ensure timely payment," he said.

The company had undergone a six-week major maintenance program, beginning around April 23, to restore the ageing factory to optimal levels. This period of maintenance led to the factory's resumption of normal operations on June 6, 2026, after nearly four months of inactivity. Muhoroni Sugar is currently milling about 1400 tonnes of cane daily.

Local farmer Odhiambo Ngesa, who has witnessed Muhoroni Sugar's journey since the 1960s, emphasized the mill's direct and indirect support for a population of approximately 100,000 people. "We have seen life coming back to normal from where previously we had slipped out. Life in Muhoroni depends on this mill so we really appreciate the government effort to have this mill running," Ngesa stated.