The Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) General Secretary, Francis Wangara, has praised the new Sugar Act signed by President William Ruto on November 1, 2024, as a vital step forward for Kenya’s sugar industry. In an interview with The Kenyan Tabloid on Wednesday, November 6, at his Kisumu office, Wangara emphasized that the Act would bring order and discipline, creating a more stable and improved work environment for those in the sugar industry.
My take is that the sugar bill signed into law by the president stands to benefit the people I represent in the sugar industry. I believe that with order and discipline, our working environment will stabilize and improve,” Wangara said.
Wangara highlighted that regulations would likely attract more investors, expanding job opportunities and empowering farmers to engage more actively in industry operations. He urged newly elected industry directors to serve diligently, prioritizing the interests of those who elected them.
Wangara noted the industry’s long-standing lack of regulation, saying that the Act’s introduction was urgent and necessary, likening sugar to other regulated crops like tea and coffee. With oversight in place, he believes production costs, an ongoing challenge, could be mitigated through strategies such as subsidized fertilizers, early maturing cane varieties, and improved collaboration between millers, farmers, and the government.
On the issue of sugar imports, Wangara stressed the need for careful regulation to prevent oversupply. He argued that only in times of severe shortage should Kenya import sugar, referencing a past shortage of 200,000 metric tonnes as an example of when imports were necessary.
Wangara further lauded the re-establishment of the Sugar Board as a key benefit of the new Act. He stated that the Board would empower farmers to address issues, regulate millers, and oversee industry standards. Additionally, a levy would support infrastructure, fund a cane development program, and offer farmers loans for cane cultivation.
“The board is essential for farmers to voice their issues, control their products, and ensure millers are regulated. Without it, the industry would lack a clear framework for growth and accountability,” Wangara concluded.
