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Parliament set to approve Sh300 million to cushion Nzoia Sugar employees and develop the stalled projects

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula assures Nzoia Sugar workers that government will settle all outstanding dues for the last two years

National Assembly Speaker Moses Werang’ula has assured workers at the troubled Nzoia Sugar Factory in Bungoma County their salaries will be paid soon as part of the plans to revive the miller.

This is after the national government factored Shs.300 million in the supplementary budget that will be tabled in the National Assembly next week.

The money is intended to clear their two years’ salary arrears, Mr Wetang’ula said during a funeral in Bungoma County.

The money, Wetang’ula added, will also be used to fund other development projects, among them roads, that were promised by President William Ruto during his visit to the county.

“I want to assure employees of Nzoia sugar factory who have gone for more than two years without pay that they will receive their dues once the supplementary budget is approved by the House,” said Wetang’ula.

He noted that this were part of the plans being put in place by the government to bail the factory that has been the main source of income to majority of residents and cushion them from economic challenges.

The Speaker reiterated that the factory was not for sale as it is being reported by some politicians from the area.

“I want to state clearly that nobody will sell Nzoia Sugar Factory. What some leaders are peddling is naked lies and you should ignore them,” he added.

The Speaker made the remarks at Sang’alo area in Kanduyi constituency in the county during the burial service of Mr. Mwasame Mutanda, a teacher at Friends National School, Kamusinga.

He succumbed to injuries he sustained in a road accident in Nakuru two weeks ago.

He noted that he was aware that residents were waiting for commencement of implementation of development projects President Ruto promised them during his recent tour.

The Speaker urged MPs who were present to pass the supplementary budget for the benefit of people they represent.

Wetang’ula, for the first time since last general elections, shared a platform with his political opponents from the county led by former Cabinet Minister Eugene Wamalwa.

He urged his political opponents to embrace politics of tolerance as he noted that he will not engage in exchange with them.

Doing so, he noted, would destruct him from his agenda of supporting President Ruto’s plans to transform the country.

Drawing inspiration from the words of American author Paul Simon’s poem, “The Voice of Silence,” Wetang’ula emphasized that the power of silence was a dignified response to his political detractors.

In apparent reference to Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natambeya who has waged political war on him, Wetang’ula said he was not concerned with political noise from his opponents who he claimed are using his name to seek relevance.

He noted that key roads in the county will be tarmacked, saying he has an agenda of transforming the county.

Wamalwa, who urged leaders to shun divisive politics, said he had asked Natembeya to respect Wetang’ula and stop his attack on him.

“I have talked to Natembeya today and asked him to respect the Speaker,” he said, adding that: “I am impressed that we are sharing a platform with Ford Kenya leaders led by the Speaker. This is the political maturity that we should exhibit before our supporters.”

MPs present asked the government to release capitation money to schools to save them from financial challenges.

“Learning institutions in the country are in the red due to delay in releasing capitation money by the Education ministry,” said Bumula MP Hon Jack Mwamboka.

Other leaders present were Senator Wafula Wakoli, Didmus Barasa, and host John Makali.

Others were former MPs Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, Hon. Dr. Eseli Simiyu, Hon. Mwambu Mabonga, alongside representatives from various teachers’ organizations and MCAs.