There is hope and concern surrounding the decision by the government to award Sh150 million bonus to farmers supplying raw materials to Mumias Sugar Factory.
While President William Ruto's administration is optimistic that the move will open a new path for the struggling industry, some farmers claim the process is shrouded in mystery.
Several farmers told The Standard that the formula used to calculate the bonuses was unclear while others claim the amounts they received was less than what they had expected.
Richard Barasa, a farmer from Malaha, Mumias East, who received Sh6,000 for the 16 tonnes of cane he supplied in August 2024, voiced concerns about the lack of communication regarding the rate used to calculate the bonuses. "We are happy to receive the bonuses, but we were not informed about the rates or the criteria used.
