By Aggrey Barasa, Kakamega
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called upon leaders and stakeholders in the sugar industry to join forces in revitalizing sugarcane farming.
Wetang’ula who spoke at the Sugar Sector Conference summit at Masinde Muliro University said that the sector is facing a myriad of challenges that can be solved.
“I fondly recall a time when each sugarcane farmer could enjoy substantial financial gains from their efforts in cane farming, both in their hands and within their bank accounts,” said Wetang’ula
However, ‘I can’t help but lament the lack of commitment’ from leaders, who, in my perspective, have made minimal efforts to breathe life back into this crucial sector.
I squarely place blame on those entrusted with the oversight and regulation of the sugar industry, and I earnestly implore them to step forward and collaborate with us in finding a sustainable solution.
“Whenever I pass by Mumias, tears engulf me when I stop to watch the ruins of Mumias Sugar factory,” he said
The speaker further attributed the turmoil in the sugar sector to the abolition of the Sugar Act.
In 2013, the Kenya Sugar Board, Coffee Board of Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya, Coconut Development Authority, Cotton Development Authority, Sisal Board of Kenya, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, and Horticultural Crops Development Authority were merged into Directorates under AFA following the enactment of the Crops Act, 2013.
“Abolition of the Sugar Act is where the rains started beating the sector.” he opined.
His sentiments were however echoed by Kakamega Deputy Governor, Ayub Savula who admitted that it is the disbandment of the sugar board that led to all the trepidations that the sugar sector is struggling with.
“We are sorry to you (farmers) for disbanding KSB and abolishing the Sugar Development Levy (SDL). The problems being experienced in the sugar sub-sector were caused by the eleventh parliament,” argued Savula.
Savula who served as the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee chairman then said it was a big mistake to disband the defunct Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) and have its functions moved to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
In 2013, the Kenya Sugar Board, Coffee Board of Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya, Coconut Development Authority, Cotton Development Authority, Sisal Board of Kenya, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, and Horticultural Crops Development Authority were merged into Directorates under AFA following the enactment of the Crops Act, 2013.
“We want to have KSB brought back. Let’s enrich the sugar Bill before parliament by today’s deliberations in order to resolve the problems and get a long lasting solution,” said Savula
The commercial sugar industry was first introduced in Kenya in 1922. Mumias Sugar Company Limited being the largest economy in the East African Community was founded in 1971.
Before its failure, it was the largest sugar manufacturer in Kenya, producing about 250,000 metric tonnes (42 per cent) of the estimated 600,000 metric tonnes of annual national output.
According to the 2019 sugar report, sugar contributed 15 per cent to the country’s GDP.
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