Nzoia Sugar Company has resumed milling operations after a seven-month shutdown, following its takeover by new operators under a government-backed lease arrangement.
The factory restarted production after undergoing a major overhaul by West Kenya Sugar Company, which took over the mill in May 2025. Operations had completely stalled at the time of the handover, with uncrushed cane left to dry and rot in the factory yard.
Extensive Repairs Restore Capacity
The rehabilitation focused on restoring core machinery that had suffered years of neglect. Engineers carried out repairs on the main power turbines, mill turbines, roller shells, boiler tubes, and milling units.
Additional upgrades covered cane preparation equipment, evaporator sets, sugar and water pumps, and automation of critical production sections. The works now allow the factory to operate at its installed capacity of 3,000 tonnes of cane per day.
Isaac Wasike, the factory’s process manager, said the government’s decision to lease the mill saved it from collapse.
“For nearly a decade, the plant was not properly maintained. That led to frequent breakdowns and poor performance,” Mr. Wasike said. “The factory is now in the condition it should be to mill efficiently.”
Improved Efficiency and Recovery Rates
The overhaul is expected to significantly improve production efficiency. Management projects an extraction rate of up to 96 percent, while the cane-to-sugar ratio has improved to 10:1.
Previously, the factory lost large volumes of sugar through leakages in the process section. Worn-out components have now been replaced, reducing losses and stabilizing output.
“These improvements address the inefficiencies that had become normal over the years,” Mr. Wasike said.
Part of Broader Sugar Sector Leasing Plan
Nzoia Sugar is among four state-owned sugar factories leased to private investors for 30 years as part of reforms aimed at reviving the struggling sector.
Sony Sugar was leased to West Kenya Sugar Company, Chemelil Sugar to Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries, and Muhoroni Sugar to West Valley Sugar Company. Mumias Sugar was leased to Sarrai Group, though the deal was later halted by the courts following legal challenges.
At the time of Nzoia’s handover, milling had already stopped. The prolonged downtime disrupted farmers and workers across the region.
Cane Availability Supports Continuous Milling
With operations now restored, Nzoia Sugar’s management says the factory has enough cane to support continuous production.
Chief Executive Officer Sohan Sharma said about 490,000 tonnes of cane are available from outgrowers and the nucleus estate. The supply is expected to sustain round-the-clock milling between December 2025 and June 2026.
The resumption of operations offers relief to farmers who depend on the mill as a primary buyer and marks a critical test for the government’s sugar sector leasing strategy.
