KISUMU, Kenya—The Kenyan government has implemented the Sugar Act 2024, which President William Ruto assented to on November 1, 2024.
The new Act, which commenced on Thursday, November 21, 2024, provides for the development, regulation, and promotion of the sugar industry.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Andrew Karanja said that the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration sees the development as a new beginning.
“The Act creates the Kenya Sugar Board and the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute, and I have appointed acting CEOs for both organisations,” the CS clarified.
How the sugar sector will be operated under the new Act
According to CS Karanja, the Kenya Sugar Board will now oversee and control the sugar sector. Previously, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) was in charge of these duties.
“There are issues about transition, which I want to assure the country we are going to handle very carefully and delicately so that we make sure there is a smooth transition and no interruption of services because that is the most important,” said the CS.
CS Karanja made the remarks during his tour of Kibos Sugar Industries in Kisumu County.
“Also, I would like to assure especially members of staff who used to work in the sugar directorate that the new Act provides for them to transit to the Kenya Sugar Board and also the ones who are working under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) that you will be transiting to the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute, so there is no need for worry; all will be well,” he explained.
What CS Karanja farmers and members of the sugar board
For the farmers and the board’s constitution, CS Karanja assured them that his ministry would ensure clear guidelines on how they would elect their representatives.
“They are supposed to have four representatives on the board, and they are zoned in various zones, and we are going to make sure they have an opportunity to elect their representatives. Other representatives are from the sugar millers and other stakeholders,” the CS added.
He exuded confidence that the government sees this as an excellent opportunity for sugarcane farmers and that the sugar industry reforms are on course.
“Also, for farmers, I assure them that these reforms are meant to benefit them; they are not just reforms for their own sake. It is for the benefit of the farmers to make sure that they get better returns on cane production,” explained CS Karanja.
The CS said his ministry had been working with the farmers to ensure they get subsidised fertilisers and other inputs.
“We shall continue to do so that we produce and export more and also assure them that we shall safeguard their interests so that we don’t just flood the country with unnecessary sugar,” the CS explained.
