BY MANUEL ODENY
President William Ruto has been lauded for reforms in the sugarcane sector which will boost the sector and add value to the crop.
Denis Orero, former political advisor for Migori county government under Okoth Obado and a sugarcane farmer from Ndhiwa area in Homa Bay said the move will be a boon to the sector.
Orero was speaking to the press in Migori town on Thursday morning.
“This is historical because sugarcane will now join tea and coffee as other commercial crops that will see farmers receive bonus,” Orero said.
He said the country production of over 830k metric tonnes of sugar was a welcome and the new reforms will increase production as more farmers will join sugarcane farming.
“There is a big chance for historical bonus of sugar will ensure we have more farmers to comeback to sugarcane farming,” Orero said
Orero said the re-introduction of Kenya Sugar Levy will see roads and bridges maintained in sugar growing areas.
“We are also upbeat that the Kenya Sugar Board will make a comeback to give farmers voice on articultae on their issues,” Orero said.
He said he gets inspiration from Obado who started his political journey in the sugarcane politics before he rose to the Kenya Sugar Board chairman position.
“We worked with Obado while he was at the board, worked with farmers in both Homa Bay and Migori counties as a farmer and in leadership which gives me extensive experience,” Orero said.
He said farmers should join sugarcane farming as the industry is being revived.
Earlier this month, President William Ruto gave KSh150 million bonus for sugar farmers who have supplied cane to Kakamega’s Mumias Sugar Factory, the first such payment in the sector.
The President said the historic bonus payment to farmers not only validates the success of the reforms introduced in the sugar sector, but is also evidence of the potential to uplift farmers and support tens of thousands of livelihoods.
“With a record 832,000 tonnes of sugar produced last year, Kenya is on course to attaining surplus production and commence regional exports by 2026, turning sugarcane cultivation into a viable and rewarding venture,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of the bonus payments, President Ruto pointed out that the reforms carried out in the sugar industry have yielded significant results.
He pointed out that the writing off of KSh117 billion in debts, including the payment of KSh1.7 billion in farmers’ arrears and KSh650 million owed to employees, was part of the effort to revive the sector.
In line with other measures outlined in the 2019 Sugar Taskforce, President Ruto said he had assented to the Sugar Act 2024 that establishes sugarcane catchment areas to better manage supply, synchronise milling operations and improve efficiency.
