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1mon agoWILLIAM WANYOIKEInfographics
President William Ruto has said that the sugar sector in the country has achieved a historical milestone.
The President also said all sugar factories are functional.
Speaking at the Parliament during the State of the Nation address on Thursday, Ruto said for the first time the country is producing enough sugar to sustain domestic sugar.
“All 17 sugar factories across Kenya are now operational and producing at impressive levels. While four more sugar factories are under construction,” he said.
He said in July, domestic sugar production was 84,000 metric tonnes surpassing the national consumption monthly average of 40,000 metric tonnes.
He attributed the increase in production to subsidised fertilisers, an additional 500,000 acres that have been brought under production and good management of the sugar sector.
Ruto said the new sugar laws provide further policy guidance as Kenya looks forward to becoming a sugar-exporting country.
Early this month, President Ruto signed the Sugar Bill into law, a move poised to rejuvenate Kenya’s sugar industry.
Sponsored by Emmanuel Wangwe and co-sponsored by Senator David Wakoli, the Bill was considered by both Houses and approved by the National Assembly on Friday, October 18, 2024, and by the Senate on October 29, 2024.
The Bill enacted into law sought to provide a framework for the regulation, development, and promotion of the sugar industry.
Enactment of the Sugar Bill will facilitate the transformation of the sugar sector, which has been adversely affected since 2013, by addressing, among others increased costs of sugar production, declining land acreage under sugar, lack of markets for sugar, failure to control imports and exports of sugar, poor management of sugar companies, and lack of research and cane development initiatives.
The newly signed law re-establishes the Kenya Sugar Board, restoring roles that were previously managed by the Sugar Directorate of the Agriculture and Food Authority.
The Board, comprising 14 members with representation from farmers, millers, government agencies, and the Council of County Governors, will set industry standards, facilitate local and international trade in sugar, regulate prices, and provide direct advisory support to sugar growers.
