By Dennis Weche, CGK
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has commended President William Ruto for signing the Sugar Bill into law, exuding confidence that the legislation will go a long way in reviving the ailing sugar sector.
Governor Barasa while speaking at the Ekambuli Church of God in Khwisero Constituency, highlighted the bill’s potential to stabilize sugar prices, facilitate timely payments to farmers, and strengthen local milling operations, including those at Mumias Sugar Company.
He underscored the law’s significance to the people of Kakamega, where the sugarcane farming the mainstay economy activity, saying that it will help in the improvement of the living standards of cane farmers who were are currently languishing in poverty.
“This new law puts our sugar industry on a sustainable path, directly benefiting our farmers and boosting economic activities within our communities,” he said, stressing that the Sugar Act aligns with the government’s broader objectives of promoting agricultural resilience and rural economic growth.
Governor Barasa also pointed to the importance of collaboration between the National Government and county administrations to fully realize the benefits of the new legislation.
He also urged the President to mediate the ongoing standoff between Parliamentarians and Senators over the equitable funding for counties.
Governors and Senators are advocating for the release of Sh400 billion to all 47 counties, emphasizing that equitable resource distribution is essential for counties to meet their mandates and improve service delivery.
Barasa highlighted that counties, especially Kakamega, rely heavily on these funds to enhance healthcare, build infrastructure, and provide other critical services to residents.
He appealed to the President to expedite the completion of key development projects in the county including Bukhungu Stadium and Kakamega Level VI Hospital.
He explained that once fully operational, Bukhungu Stadium could establish Kakamega as a premier location for regional and national events, generating substantial economic opportunities for the county.
Similarly, the completion of Kakamega Level VI Hospital would establish the facility as a major healthcare hub for Western Kenya, expanding access to quality medical services and reducing the need for residents to seek care outside the region. “These projects are crucial to the social and economic advancement of Kakamega. Completing them will be transformative for our county,” he stated.
The event drew a notable array of political leaders from across the country. Among those present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (MSME) and Dr Deborah Barasa (Health), Governors Kennet Lusaka (Bungoma) and Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, and the host MP, Christopher Aseka.
