The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), commonly known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kipronoh Ronoh to release all documents related to the leasing of public sugar companies.
In a statement on Monday, December 8, the commission warned PS Ronoh that he risks prosecution if he fails to release the documents by the end of the ultimatum.
“The Commission has ordered the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, to release information on Leasing of Sugar Companies within twenty-one days, failure to which the Commission shall recommend criminal prosecution against the Principal Secretary in line with Section 28 of the Access to Information Act, 2016,” read the statement in part.
The directive follows an application filed by a citizen who requested information on the leasing arrangements of the sugar companies, but got no feedback from the Ministry.
According to the commission, the complainant requested the letter of award for the leasing of Muhoroni, Nzoia, Chemelil, and Sony Sugar Company Limited to private entities, including the factors considered in the award, as well as the lease agreements between the lessees and lessors of these companies.
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The Commission took up the matter on September 5, 2025, and requested the PS to respond within seven days.
However, PS Ronoh failed to respond to the commission’s letter within the seven-day period he was given.
In its determination, the commission noted that the request for information is held by the State Department for Agriculture.
The commission also pointed out that the documents may contain exempt information under Section 6(1) of the Access to Information Act.
However, the Commission ruled that redacted versions of the documents would be adequate to comply with the law.
“The information requested by Mr. AO in the request for information letter dated 29th July 2025 may contain information which is subject to limitations under Section 6(1), Access to Information Act, 2016. As such, disclosure of a redacted version of the requested information/documents will suffice,” the commission stated.
In May, the government completed the leasing of the four sugar companies to private millers under a 30-year lease.
Under the lease, West Kenya Sugar Company took over Nzoia Sugar; Chemelil was handed to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries; Sony Sugar went to Busia Sugar Industry, and Muhoroni was taken over by West Valley Sugar Company.
Speaking over the lease, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the private operators will bring in capital, expertise, and efficiency, while the government focuses on oversight and accountability.
“The sugar sector has drained billions from taxpayers over the years. Now it’s time we let strategic investment drive its transformation,” CS Kagwe stated.
