The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture, Paul Ronoh, demanding the release of documents related to the leasing of four public sugar companies. Failure to comply will lead to prosecution, following complaints about a lack of transparency in the leasing process.

• The order stems from a citizen's information request filed on July 29, seeking full disclosure on the leasing of Muhoroni, Nzoia, Chemelil, and Sony Sugar Company to private entities.
• The PS, Paul Ronoh, allegedly failed to respond to the initial request and subsequent inquiries from the Ombudsman.
• The Ombudsman is exercising powers under Section 23(2)(a) of the Access to Information Act to issue binding orders for the disclosure of "letters of award, factors considered during allocation and lease agreements."
• In May, South Nyanza, Nzoia, Chemelil, and Muhoroni sugar companies were leased for 30 years to Busia Sugar Industry Ltd, West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd, Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries Ltd, and West Valley Sugar Company Ltd, respectively.