Kenya sugarcane plantation workers’ union has given the government until Wednesday to release Sh2.7billion in outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits.
Union Secretary General Francis Wangara warned that workers would begin a strike from Thursday.
He said the money is owed to workers who were not retained following the restructuring of the sugar sector.
Wangara said the government had committed to settling the payments but had failed to release the funds despite an allocation having been made in the national budget.
The union said it wrote to the Ministry of Agriculture twice seeking clarification on when the payments would be made, but had not received a firm commitment.
“We demand that this payment must be made immediately, failure to which it will cause confrontation, which will be very unfortunate for all of them,” Wangara said.
The payments were expected to begin in July, at the start of the 2026/27 financial year, according to the union.
Wangara said the union had initially agreed with the sugar sector transition committee that the outstanding payments would be settled by August or, at the latest, September.
But the delay has left some affected workers struggling to pay for basic needs, including food and school fees, the union said.
The union warned that any industrial action could disrupt sugar production, which is currently in a peak period.
“The reason why we are asking that we should join forces so that payment is done early, so that it does not affect the sugar production,” Wangara said.
He said even a one- or two-day stoppage could cause significant losses for sugar millers.
Wangara also warned the government that it would have to compensate workers for losses resulting from any disruption caused by the strike.
“If there is any time when they will lose as a result of this stoppage of work, then the government must know how to compensate them. Because the button is the government and the delay is caused by government,” he said.
The union has appealed to sugar millers to support its demand for the immediate release of the funds and prepare for possible disruptions.
It has also cautioned employers against taking action that would unfairly penalise workers if mills are forced to suspend operations.
The union said it has copied its correspondence to senior government officials, including President William Ruto and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi.
Wangara said the union was seeking payment of workers’ dues rather than political intervention.
“We believe that the government has the authority and the mandate to pay this money,” he said.
The union has instructed its members to join its national leadership in demanding the release of the funds.
It said some workers are ready to participate in the strike, although others remain cautious.
The union has warned that workers could withdraw their labour at any time from Thursday if the government fails to communicate its position.
The dispute centres on salary arrears and terminal benefits owed to workers affected by the restructuring of the sugar industry.
The union said it will continue pressing for payment of the Sh2.7billion until all affected workers receive their dues.
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