President William Ruto has fired back at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for questioning the source of funds used to pay bonuses to Mumias Sugarcane farmers.
During a public address in Bungoma, the president defended the payments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring equality among farmers across different regions.
Ruto explained that the bonuses were part of broader reforms to restore confidence in the agricultural sector.
“Where the money to pay bonus for coffee and tea farmers is where we get money for cane farmers bonus. Ule mtu wa kati watermelon, anauliza maswali, kichwa yake ni mzuri mkipima? Ruto claimed.
“Nataka nimwambie Huyo mtu ya watermelon, usimamizi mzuri ukiwekwa, bonus imelipwa na kampuni because we have put proper management to ensure those sectors are working. Even in Nzoia, Sony, Chemelil we will begin having bonus.” The President went on.
Drawing parallels with other agricultural sectors, Ruto noted that tea and coffee farmers had also received bonuses under his administration, highlighting the government’s goal to create equity for all farmers nationwide.
The president further promised to extend similar reforms to other sugar companies in the region to ensure all sugarcane farmers benefit from timely bonus payments.
In a sharp rebuke, Ruto accused Kalonzo and other opposition leaders of exploiting farmers for political gain. He claimed their criticism stemmed from a desire to keep farmers in poverty to fuel anti-government sentiments and protests.
“Kalonzo and his allies want farmers to remain poor so they can continue exploiting them and calling for demonstrations,” Ruto alleged.
The president’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the sustainability of reforms in the sugar industry, with opposition leaders questioning the source of funds to Pay the bonuses.
