The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto has reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting significant reforms in the sugar industry following his approval of the Sugar Bill 2022.
Speaking at a church service at Ekambuli Church of God in Khwisero, Kakamega County, Ruto assured that the proposed reforms in the Bill aim to revitalize the sugar sector by reducing the country’s reliance on sugar imports.
The president emphasized that the Bill is designed to address the issues that have undermined the once-thriving sugar industry, which remains a crucial source of income for many farmers.
“We’ve reduced fertilizer costs for sugar farmers to help increase production, and we are already cutting back on the sugar imports that once filled our markets,” he explained.
As the reforms begin to take effect, Ruto announced that the government plans to halt sugar imports for the next two years.
“In the next two years, we will not import sugar because our farmers will meet the country’s demand. We now have a clear roadmap for sugar farming,” he stated.
The new legislation includes the re-establishment of the Kenya Sugar Board, the creation of the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute, and the implementation of the Sugar Development Levy.
According to President Ruto, these initiatives will strengthen the industry by improving production, enhancing milling operations, matching processing capacity with cane supply, promoting value addition, and providing crucial funding to benefit all stakeholders.
“This legislation will support our transformation program for the sugar industry, and we will ensure that fertilizers are available to more farmers to increase production,” Ruto affirmed.
Additionally, the president directed Mumias Sugar Company to pay bonuses to cane farmers.
Under the reforms, the Kenya Sugar Board will be granted greater authority to regulate, develop, and promote the sugar industry. The Board will also coordinate with other stakeholders to rejuvenate the sector, oversee sugar trade, advise cane farmers, regulate pricing, license mills, and conduct market surveillance.
