NAIROBI, Kenya – The Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee has announced an immediate suspension of sugar imports into Kenya, a move aimed at fortifying the country’s domestic sugar industry amidst ongoing sector reforms.
Raymond Omollo, the Interior Principal Secretary and chair of the committee, issued the directive to border management committee chairs across 27 regions.
Omollo’s decision comes in response to the recent surge in local sugar production, which has consistently surpassed domestic consumption.
“In light of the ongoing reforms within the sugar industry, it is evident that domestic sugar production is currently sufficient to meet national demand,” Omollo stated.
He highlighted that local production in June and July 2024 reached 75,500 and 80,500 metric tonnes per month, respectively—exceeding local consumption by 4,000 metric tonnes.
The directive is aimed at sustaining the growth of the sugar industry and supporting the economies of sugarcane-farming communities.
Omollo emphasized the importance of halting sugar imports to protect the industry from external competition, thereby fostering further development and ensuring economic stability.
“To sustain this positive trajectory, it is essential to protect the industry by halting sugar imports. You are therefore directed to enforce a cessation of brown/table sugar imports at your ports of entry,” Omollo’s letter, dated August 22, reads.
In addition to halting imports, Omollo instructed the committee chairs to work within a multi-agency framework to tackle illegal sugar imports.
This includes conducting raids to curb smuggling and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Omollo has requested that all regional chairs provide updates and submit monthly reports to the Border Management Secretariat to monitor the effectiveness of the import suspension and address any emerging challenges.
Raymond Omollo, the Interior Principal Secretary and chair of the committee, issued the directive to border management committee chairs across 27 regions.
Omollo’s decision comes in response to the recent surge in local sugar production, which has consistently surpassed domestic consumption.
“In light of the ongoing reforms within the sugar industry, it is evident that domestic sugar production is currently sufficient to meet national demand,” Omollo stated.
He highlighted that local production in June and July 2024 reached 75,500 and 80,500 metric tonnes per month, respectively—exceeding local consumption by 4,000 metric tonnes.
The directive is aimed at sustaining the growth of the sugar industry and supporting the economies of sugarcane-farming communities.
Omollo emphasized the importance of halting sugar imports to protect the industry from external competition, thereby fostering further development and ensuring economic stability.
“To sustain this positive trajectory, it is essential to protect the industry by halting sugar imports. You are therefore directed to enforce a cessation of brown/table sugar imports at your ports of entry,” Omollo’s letter, dated August 22, reads.
In addition to halting imports, Omollo instructed the committee chairs to work within a multi-agency framework to tackle illegal sugar imports.
This includes conducting raids to curb smuggling and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Omollo has requested that all regional chairs provide updates and submit monthly reports to the Border Management Secretariat to monitor the effectiveness of the import suspension and address any emerging challenges.
