This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
Kenya's sugar industry is facing a bleak future as state-owned sugar factories struggle with a severe raw material shortage. According to the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, the industry is experiencing its worst raw material crisis ever.
The federation's chairman, Ibrahim Juma, cited cane poaching and lack of laws to regulate the industry as reasons that have worsened the situation. Speaking to farmers at Nambale on Sunday, Juma said the domestic sugar industry has recorded a deficit of over 2 million metric tonnes in cane supply, painting a grim picture of the already struggling sugar factories.
Among the worst affected is Mumias Sugar, in which the Government has a controlling 20 per cent stake. The factory did not manage to produce a single tonne in the first quarter of the period under review. Other state-owned factories, including Nzoia, Muhoroni, and Chemilil, are also experiencing raw material shortages, further complicating plans to restore operations at Mumias.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has confessed that the county government's plans to revamp the sugar firm have hit a brick wall.
