West Sugar Company has set in motion plans to breathe new life into the distillery and co-generation plants at Mumias Sugar Company, acting on a directive from President William Ruto.

In a letter dated January 23, 2025, West Sugar confirmed to Mumias Sugar’s management that work on the long-dormant plants was underway.

“West Kenya Sugar Company Limited are in the process of reviving the distillery and co-gen plants at Mumias Sugar Company Limited (In Receivership) in compliance with the directive issued by H.E. the President on January 20, 2025,” the company wrote.

To ensure the project runs smoothly, the firm requested unrestricted access to the plants and sought approval to deploy its own security personnel.

“On instructions of the Receiver Manager, this is to request you to please allow them unhindered access to the two plants aforesaid to enable them complete their assignment,” the letter read.

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Additionally, it urged that “Kindly also allow them to deploy their own security in addition to the Receiver Manager’s security, Messrs Total Security Surveillance, to guard the said two plants.”

This development follows President Ruto’s visit to Mumias on 20 January 2025, where he flagged off the first-ever bonus payments to cane farmers who had supplied the factory.

The Head of State described the milestone as proof that reforms in the sugar industry were starting to bear fruit, offering a fresh start for struggling farmers.

Ruto further revealed that he had signed the Sugar Act 2024 into law, introducing structured cane supply zones to streamline milling operations and prevent inefficiencies.

He also highlighted the government’s push to distribute subsidised fertiliser to boost yields and raise farmers’ earnings.

“Last year, we produced a record 832,000 metric tonnes of sugar, and we anticipate that production will continue growing. By 2026, Kenya should be a surplus producer of sugar and begin exporting to the regional market,” he stated.

Once a giant in Kenya’s sugar sector, Mumias Sugar has faced years of decline.

The revival of its distillery and co-generation plants could mark a turning point, offering renewed hope to farmers and workers who have long awaited the factory’s full recovery.