Kabras Sugar plans 1,500-tonne factory in Nandi

Nandi County in Kenya may soon have a new market for sugarcane farmers, thanks to plans by West Kenya Sugar Company, also known as Kabras Sugar. The company intends to build a factory in Saniak Village, Kamoiywa Location, Chesumei Sub-County, capable of processing up to 3,000 tonnes of sugarcane daily. The factory will feature a mill, power generation facility, sugar processing unit, storage area, workshop, offices, and a system for treating and recycling wastewater.

The project's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment highlights several benefits. If approved, the factory could generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities. It could also incentivize more farmers in the region to cultivate sugarcane, transforming it into a lucrative cash crop. The investment could potentially enhance household incomes and contribute to food security, as farmers might use their earnings to invest in other agricultural activities.

However, the assessment also outlines potential risks. These include dust and emissions, strain on local water supplies, alterations to the landscape and ecosystems, risks of fires, disputes over land and succession, cane spills, and potential delays in farmer payments. To mitigate these risks, the assessment proposes measures to manage environmental and social impacts during both the construction and operational phases of the factory.