Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has assured that the government will settle all outstanding payments owed to workers in public sugar factories, even as fiscal pressures persist.
Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with sector stakeholders, he said the commitment is part of a wider plan to revive the sugar industry and safeguard livelihoods.
In a statement, CS Kagwe noted that the new measures form part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen oversight in the sugar sector and curb illegal trade that has reduced farmers’ earnings and affected consumer trust.
“The Kenya Sugar Board has directed all individuals and companies involved in sugar re-packaging to register with the Board by November 17, 2025, as part of new measures aimed at strengthening regulation,” the Ministry stated.
The directive specifies that only firms meeting the prescribed standards and submitting the required documents will be approved to operate. “The Board emphasized that only firms that meet the prescribed standards and documentation guidelines will be approved,” the statement added.
CS Kagwe stressed that the government is focused on restoring confidence in the sugar belt and protecting livelihoods through transparent operations and fair business practices.
“The government’s agenda for the sugar belt is anchored in restoring industry confidence, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring fair and transparent operations across the value chain,” he said.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over illicit sugar repackaging and unregulated distribution, which have distorted prices, reduced farmer income, and compromised product quality.
The new measures are expected to streamline operations from milling to retail, ensuring that all products in the market are traceable and certified by the Kenya Sugar Board.
In a related development, CS Kagwe reaffirmed that the government will clear all outstanding payments owed to workers in public sugar factories despite current fiscal challenges.
“The government will clear all outstanding payments owed to workers in public sugar factories in due course,” he said, underlining that “this administration remains committed to honouring its obligations to every sugar worker.”
The commitment was made during a meeting in Nairobi involving the Ministry, the Kenya Unions of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW), and the Kenya Sugar Board.
Key participants included Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Agriculture, Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire, and KUSPAW officials Bernard Wanyonyi (National Chair), Francis Wangara (General Secretary), and Jared Oluoch (Deputy General Secretary).
Discussions focused on worker welfare, sector stability, and ongoing reforms to rejuvenate the sugar industry. CS Kagwe emphasized that the government’s plan is people-centred and aimed at protecting the thousands of households reliant on the sugar value chain.
“This government will take every necessary measure to ensure that fairness, accountability, and sustainability define our sugar industry going forward,” he said, adding that the Ministry will continue working closely with farmers’ unions, county governments, and private stakeholders to deliver results that “benefit farmers and protect consumers.”
The registration exercise for re-packagers is expected to set a new compliance standard for the industry and signal a stronger regulatory era. Once concluded, the Kenya Sugar Board will release an updated registry of approved re-packaging entities, enabling better market oversight and enforcement.
As the government pushes to stabilize the sugar sector, the focus on regulatory reform and worker compensation marks a critical step toward restoring confidence in one of Kenya’s key agricultural sub-sectors.
“Restoring the sugar sector is not just about production, it is about dignity for our workers, fairness for our farmers, and safety for our consumers,” Kagwe concluded.
