By Andrew Kariuki
Mumias Sugar Limited has issued a public statement addressing delays in sugarcane harvesting, attributing the disruption to overlapping cane ownership disputes with rival millers, operational pressure following a three-month industry shutdown and difficult terrain in parts of Busia County.
In an update dated February 11, 2026, the company acknowledged that harvesting activities have been affected by conflicts in the field over claims of self-developed cane.
It said disputes involving competitors, including West Kenya Sugar Company and Busia Sugar Industry, have led to complaints being lodged with regulators and interruptions to harvesting operations, including alleged harassment of harvesting teams.
Mumias Sugar also pointed to the impact of a three-month closure of the sugar sector last year, which had been intended to allow cane to mature.
According to the company, the resumption of operations coincided with an increase in mature cane ready for harvesting.
Combined with daily crushing capacity limits, this has resulted in a backlog as farmers seek to harvest before the onset of the rainy season.
The miller further noted that a significant proportion of its contracted cane is grown in lowland areas of Busia County, where access becomes challenging during periods of heavy rainfall.
It stated that adverse weather conditions have slowed harvesting in those regions and pledged continued investment in additional equipment to improve efficiency and access.
The company assured farmers that it remains committed to harvesting all properly registered cane and maintaining weekly payments.
It urged growers to work closely with field officers and adhere to scheduled harvesting plans to ease logistical pressure.
Mumias Sugar reiterated that it is focused on improving long-term service delivery and stabilising operations within the sugar sector.
