- Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe reaffirmed the sugar import ban and froze new import licences as Kenya Sugar Board elections were set for September 5, 2026.
- The elections will fill five grower director positions, completing the Board’s membership under the Sugar Act, 2024.
- The government said farmer arrears have fallen to Ksh265 million and pledged to clear the balance while implementing wider reforms in the sugar sector
The government has reaffirmed its ban on sugar imports and frozen new licences as the Kenya Sugar Board sets elections for September 5, 2026.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe made the announcements during a high level consultative meeting with sugar farmers, industry stakeholders and Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) officials at Kilimo House. The elections for five regional grower directors mark a major milestone towards fully operationalising the Board under the Sugar Act, 2024.
Harun Khator, Chairperson of the Kenya Sugar Board Grower Directors Election Committee and Secretary Administration in the State Department for Livestock Development, declared the official date. Following consultations with stakeholders, the committee unanimously agreed on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
“The powers have been vested in my office to declare these elections. I therefore officially announce that the elections for the five grower directors representing the five sugar-growing regions will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026,” Khator said.
The polls will fill the five grower representative positions provided for under the Sugar Act, 2024, completing the Board’s membership. Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire said electing the five directors is necessary to fully constitute the Board within the legal framework, noting that decisions requiring Board approval, including matters relating to the Sugar Development Levy, will proceed once this happens.
Import freeze tightens as local output rises
CS Kagwe directed that no new sugar import licences be issued, saying local production is now sufficient to meet domestic demand.
“We are not going to import sugar at the risk of the local industry,” he said.
New sugar factories will also face stricter licensing requirements to curb cane poaching. Investors seeking milling licences must now show they have adequate nucleus estates and contracted outgrowers before approval is granted.
Government moves to clear farmer arrears
Kagwe said historical arrears owed to cane farmers have fallen from nearly Ksh2 billion to about Ksh265 million. He said he has already engaged National Treasury CS John Mbadi to facilitate payment of the remaining balance and directed that delayed payments by some millers be addressed urgently, after farmers complained that certain factories continue accumulating fresh arrears despite broader improvements in the sector.
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Farmer organisations gave the elections overwhelming support, insisting the five grower directors must be voted in rather than nominated.
Speaking for the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Secretary General Kilion Osur said the June 25 election date had been delayed by court cases, which he claimed were filed by individuals who were not genuine farmers. He confirmed the conservatory orders issued by the Kakamega High Court had since been lifted.
“We do not want nominated directors; we want elections,” Osur said.
Stakeholders separately asked Government to write off more than Ksh48 billion owed by former outgrower institutions to the Kenya Sugar Board, arguing this would strengthen farmer organisations. Growers also called for payment based on sucrose content instead of the current formula, with young farmer representatives indicating they would support retaining the current Ksh5,500 per tonne cane price, even as they noted the previous Ksh5,750 per tonne rate.
On pricing, Kagwe said the Government must balance the interests of farmers, millers and consumers.
CS Kagwe disclosed that a substantive CEO for the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute (KESRETI) will be appointed by the end of the week, to strengthen research and the development of improved sugarcane varieties. He also said the proposed Kenya Agricultural Development Corporation (KADCO) Bill remains open to amendment should Parliament receive feedback that it is unpopular within the sector.
By Benedict Aoya
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