Farmers are on edge after suspicious fires destroyed over 1,000 acres of sugarcane plantations in Kisumu County. The fires, primarily affecting Miwani and Ombeyi wards, also consumed 300 acres of Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited’s nucleus estate.
Kibos Sugar’s agricultural services manager, Richard Sewe, said the fires have severely disrupted daily operations, with much time spent extinguishing the flames.
"As of today, we have 9,000 tonnes of burnt sugarcane awaiting harvest," he said, noting that emergency situations have strained their workforce and logistics. "We are working day and night to salvage what farmers have labored over for the past 18 months."
Since June, the fires have destroyed 36,000 tonnes of sugarcane, valued at Sh180 million based on the current Sh5,000 per tonne rate set by the sugar regulator. Kibos, which also produces paper, alcohol, and electricity, is unable to process the burnt sugarcane. "The dry, charred cane compromises the quality of our products," Sewe explained, urging security agencies to act quickly to contain the situation.
Farmers are also facing significant losses, as the dry crops lose weight, reducing their earnings, which are based on weight or sucrose content. Kibos’ corporate affairs manager, Joyce Opondo, labeled the fires an act of sabotage by competitors aiming to cripple their operations. "It’s no coincidence that only Kibos is affected," she remarked.
Sylvanus Onyango, who lost 44 acres of sugarcane in the fire, estimates his loss at Sh7.9 million. His plantation was near 64 acres that were set ablaze by suspected arsonists on Saturday afternoon