This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, a host of politicians from Western Kenya led by Lugari MP Ayub Savula protested against illegal sugar imports coming into the country from its neighbours.
The leaders took issue with some of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) member countries for abusing the Rules of Origin to import sugar from Brazil then proceed to export to Kenya.
“We demand that the government ban sugar imports from Uganda because they cannot import from Brazil then export to us,” said Savula.
The protest was sparked by the glut in the market caused by the illegal imports, which has occasioned a drop in local sugar prices.
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, a member of the Sugar taskforce, cautioned that opening up the importation window could have a negative impact on local sugar prices.
Wangamati called on Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya to intervene and cushion farmers from incurring losses.
The sugar report pointed out that a sizable amount of unlicensed sugar is smuggled into the country through the porous borders.
Kakamega County Assembly Deputy Speaker Leonard Kasaya said most of the industries in the region have been incapacitated by illegal sugar importation.
The leaders said the sugar belt has a capacity to produce enough sugar for the country, while warning that cheap imports from neighbouring countries will kill the local industry.
