MPs are developing a law to regulate sugar imports amid concerns that uncontrolled importation is hurting local millers and farmers.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Trade and Industry is collecting views from farmers, millers and other stakeholders in the sugar industry to inform the proposed legislation.
The committee is touring the sugar belt to understand the challenges facing the sector, including the impact of cheap sugar imports on locally produced cane and sugar.
“We want to use these views to develop a law that will help regulate imports and protect local sugar industry. Our engagement with farmers and other players in the sector will help us come up with a framework that will address the issues,” Committee chairman Bernard Shinali said.
Kenya currently controls sugar imports through the Sugar Act 2024, the Sugar (Imports and Exports) Regulations 2025, and a strict import license freeze implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking during a meeting with farmers and other industry players at Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma, Shinali said the committee’s tour was also focused on assessing the quality and standards of locally-produced sugar.
The Ikolomani MP said the committee had received concerns over the entry of imported sugar into the country.
Farmers and stakeholders attending the meeting raised concerns over what they described as increased imports of sugar from neighbouring Uganda, saying the imports had contributed to pressure on prices of locally produced sugar.
They called for tough measures to regulate imports and protect the local sugar market and urged the government to address challenges affecting cane farmers, including delayed payments for delivered cane.
Funyula MP Oundo Mudenyo said the progress on the ongoing revival of the sugar sector was encouraging, although there are still challenges that require government intervention
He cited delayed payment of workers who had been released from the sugar companies as one of the major challenges to the restructuring process.
“We want any state agencies involved in sugar matters to first establish the updated stocks of available sugar locally before approving any sugar imports to avoid a situation where local millers are left with huge stocks of unsold sugar while more imported sugar continues to enter the market,” he said.
Kanduyi MP John Makali said the tour gave legislators an opportunity to directly interact with farmers, workers and other players in the industry.
Rai Group of Companies head of external affairs and communication George Muruli urged farmers to continue developing their cane, saying the mill had taken into consideration recommendations raised by farmers and other stakeholders.
Muruli said continued engagement between the mill, farmers and government would be important in addressing challenges facing the sugar industry and restoring confidence among cane growers.
