Stakeholders in the sugar industry have lauded President William Ruto for assenting to the enacted sugar bill.
They noted that the move now paves the way for radical reforms in the sugar sub-sector which has been limping for many years.
Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation Workers (KUSPAW) secretary general Francis Wangara said the Act will ensure that the sector operates under a legal framework. Speaking in Kisumu Wangara said issues like cane poaching, inadequate funding and poor infrastructure will also be addressed by the Act.
Wangara said the anticipated cane levy will also go a long way in addressing poor infrastructure in the sugar belt. The anticipated regional zoning will deal with cane poaching which has been a source of conflict among millers and some farmers.
Wangara said the Act paves way for the reintroduction of the sugar board where farmers and county governments will be represented. Cane farmers will now be paid based on various contents.
He highlighted that the new Sugar Bill will allocate funds for maintaining access roads to sugar farms.
“It also reinstates the Kenya Sugar Board to regulate the sector, allowing farmers to elect board directors nationwide, which is good news to the farming community because they will have representation at the policy making table,” said Wangara.
Wangara however expressed reservations that workers will not be represented anywhere but proposed that they should be there as ex-officio.
AFA Director Samwel Ong’ou stated that the newly enacted Sugar Bill, now will now be an act after the Presidential assent, will completely reform the sugar industry.
“It paves the way for funding research into early-maturing cane varieties with high sucrose yields, enabling payments to be based on sucrose content—a change that was previously not feasible,” said Ong’ou.
Ong’ou emphasized that payments based on sucrose content will directly benefit growers, enabling them to receive compensation for sugar by-products like bagasse, molasses, and co-generated electricity from milling factory turbines—marking a historic first for farmers.
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He also praised the President for fulfilling his pre-election pledge to reform Kenya’s sugar industry, a commitment made during the lead-up to the 2022 elections.
Cane farmers, represented by Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Growers officials, including Secretary General Killion Osur and Chairman Ezra Okoth, praised the president’s swift action assenting to the Sugar Bill.
They described the legislation as a game changer for the sugar sector, highlighting its potential to significantly improve the industry’s operations and sustainability. They expressed appreciation for the significant steps taken to improve the sector and support the livelihoods of millions of cane growers.
President William Ruto has officially assented to the Sugar Bill, marking a significant step towards the implementation of the new regulations governing the sugar industry.
This legislation aims to address various challenges within the sector, including production, pricing, and quality control, with the goal of revitalizing the industry and supporting local farmers.
The government is now through the Sugar Industry Directorate poised to roll out measures that will enhance transparency and efficiency in sugar production and distribution.
By Fredrick Odiero
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