President takes a group photo with leaders at state house after signing the sugar bill into Law.
Among the leaders present is N.A.Speaker Dr.Moses Wetang’ula(6th from the left) and Bungoma Senator David Wafula Wakoli(3rd from the left)
By Micah Sali.
President William Ruto has officially signed the Sugar Bill into law, a landmark decision expected to transform Kenya’s struggling sugar industry.
The signing ceremony at State House was attended by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, one of the bill’s co-authors, who emphasized the law’s potential to improve the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans in the Lake Region Economic Bloc.
“Today marks a historic milestone for our sugar sector with President Ruto’s signing of the Sugar Bill into law,” said Senator Wakoli, calling it a turning point for over 14 million Kenyans impacted by the sector.
The new legislation reinstates the Kenya Sugar Board, granting it enhanced regulatory powers intended to bring much-needed order to the sector.
Wakoli believes the new law will foster a more stable environment for cane millers by introducing zoning regulations to curb cane poaching, a practice that has undermined millers’ confidence and investments.
“To our cane farmers who have endured challenges over the years: this law represents your resilience and hope for a brighter future,” Wakoli stated, highlighting the hardships many farmers have faced in recent years.
The law also boosts the role of county governments in supporting farmer cooperatives and providing essential extension services.
“This is more than just legislation – it’s a lifeline for our cane farmers and the entire sugar sector ecosystem,” Wakoli added, affirming his commitment to working alongside stakeholders to restore Kenya’s sugar industry as a significant contributor to the national agricultural economy.
Kanduyi MP John Makali commended President William Ruto for signing the bill into law heaping praise to his colleagues Bungoma Senator David Wafula Wakoli and Navakholi MP Emmanuel Wangwe for their role in championing this law.
According to the Kanduyi MP the key elements of the new law include the reinstatement of the Kenya Sugar Board, which promises direct representation from farming communities, thereby giving farmers a voice in high-level decisions.
The board’s mandate includes regulating, developing, and promoting the sugar sector, potentially turning around an industry many considered disorganized and declining.
Makali said that the 4% Sugar Development Levy, is an investment. Of this levy, 15% is allocated to mill rehabilitation, while 40% is directed toward cane development.
This financial structure is designed to boost production, improve farming practices, and rehabilitate struggling mills.
To farmers who had lost hope in sugarcane farming, Makali extended an invitation to return, bolstered by new support mechanisms.
The sugar law also introduces a pricing committee to ensure fair farmer compensation and an arbitration committee to quickly resolve disputes.
Makali’s statement reflected optimism for a revitalized future in sugarcane farming, seeing it as a transformative move for Kanduyi and other sugar-growing regions
Ends.
