Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has acknowledged that concerns raised by Parliament’s legal team on the Sugar Act and its regulations are valid,
He noted that both the regulations and the Act itself require amendments to address existing shortcomings.
CS Kagwe, however, emphasised that the Ministry conducted extensive public participation and will move with speed to introduce the necessary changes.
On the contentious issue of electing directors in the sugar sector, the CS said the matter is currently before the court, limiting his ability to act.
While some have proposed nominations rather than elections, Kagwe maintained that elections are preferable because directors are chosen directly by farmers.
However, resolution must follow the legal process, particularly on issues touching on zoning and governance.
The CS sympathised with farmers’ frustrations and reiterated that reforms are aimed at ensuring they benefit more, highlighting that sugarcane farmers are already receiving weekly payments.
He further called on Parliament to allocate sufficient funding to stabilise and strengthen the sugar sector, noting that the industry faces multiple structural challenges that require urgent and coordinated interventions. Kenya Sugar Board.
