In a major step toward revitalizing Kenya’s sugar industry, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday morning toured West Kenya Sugar Company, shortly after it secured a 30-year lease to operate Nzoia Sugar Company. The visit marks a significant milestone in government efforts to breathe life into the struggling sugar sub-sector.
While addressing stakeholders at the plant, CS Kagwe announced a comprehensive Ksh 4 billion support plan aimed at transforming sugarcane farming and boosting production efficiency through the Sugar Development Levy (SDL).
Breakdown of the Ksh 4 Billion Plan:
Cane Development – Ksh 2 billion (40%)
Road Repairs in Cane Zones – Ksh 600 million (15%)
Research and Innovation – Ksh 600 million (15%)
Factory Rehabilitation – Ksh 600 million (15%)
Farmer Associations Strengthening – Ksh 200 million (5%)
Administrative Support for the Sugar Board – 10% of total funds
Kagwe emphasized that the government’s strategy is rooted in empowering stakeholders across the sugar value chain, with a strong focus on sustainability and fair practices. “We must reduce internal rivalries among millers, support investors with clarity and consistency, and allow cane to fully mature to enhance quality and competitiveness globally,” said the CS.
The tour also included an inspection of operations at Butali Sugar Mills in Kakamega County, underlining the ministry’s commitment to region-wide support and modernization efforts.
The lease of Nzoia Sugar to West Kenya Sugar is expected to bring much-needed managerial and financial discipline to the factory, which has struggled with operational inefficiencies for decades. Stakeholders believe the strategic partnership could serve as a blueprint for reviving other ailing sugar mills across the country.
With Kenya’s sugar sector grappling with dwindling production, aging factories, and farmer dissatisfaction, the new support plan is seen as a critical lifeline potentially marking a turning point for one of the country’s most vital agricultural sectors.
