Food

Ruto mulls ban on sugar imports to protect Kenya's farmers

President William Ruto addresses Bungoma residents during his tour of the county on February 1, 2024. (Photo: PSC)

By Apollo Ochieng | Thursday, February 1, 2024

Ruto said it is illogical for the country to continue importing food items, including sugar, when local farmers and companies can produce them.

The Kenyan government is considering permanently banning the importation of sugar to allow the full revival of local millers and to empower local farmers, President William Ruto has said.

On a tour of Bungoma County on Thursday, Ruto said it is illogical for the country to continue importing food items, including sugar, when local farmers and companies can produce them.

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The President noted that the importation of sugar has disenfranchised many farmers in Western Kenya, who rely solely on cane farming to make a living. To cushion them, he said, the government has already put in place elaborate plans to revive local factories such as Nzioa Sugar and Mumias.

"Starting this year, there will be no tender to allow some people to import sugar into the country. We would rather use that money to pay our farmers and build our industries so they can thrive. We must sort this out once and for all," he said,

"At Nzoia Sugar we even have an estate. The money from that estate alone can drive that company, let alone sugarcane from the farmer. We cannot keep importing food when our farmers can produce the same crops if empowered."

During the tour, the President issued cheques worth Sh250 million to cane farmers attached to Nzoia Sugarto to settle their outstanding dues and flagged off the issuance of subsidised fertiliser to farmers.

"We cannot have a situation where farmers take sugarcane to the factory and stay for months without pay. We must sort out this mess and have responsible managers," he said.

Ruto also highlighted the matter of Kenya's debt burden, allaying fears that the country is likely to default on its loans.

"I can confirm to you that we are ready as a nation to pay all our debts because we have put in place solid plans," he said.

The President was in Bungoma for the ground-breaking ceremony for the Naitiri Economic Stimulus Project and the Webuye ESP market. He also laid the foundation stone for the affordable housing project at Musikoma.

He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Kusaka.