Governor Kenneth Lusaka has called for proper working leadership structures in the sugar sector.
Lusaka said the problems facing sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry can be solved through stiff regulatory frameworks and well-defined administrative structures.
"The gains and pains of the sugar industry in the Western region and the country at large start and stop at leadership. We need to set up management standards to enhance accountability and operations," he said.
The governor spoke on Saturday during the Lake Region Economic Bloc Sugar Conference 2023 at Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega.
Lusaka cited sugar barrons and rogue leadership as major contributors to the collapse of state-owned sugar mills.
In his capacity as the LREB vice chair, he lauded the ongoing sugar stakeholders forum, expressing optimism in the stakeholders review taskforce report, saying if well implemented will revitalize the sugar sector in the entire region.
Also present at the event were National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Governors Anyang' Nyong'o and LREB chairperson, Fernandez Barasa (Kakamega), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Juma Mukhwana (Industrialization PS), Senators, Deputy Governors, MPS, MCAs and head of parastatals among others.