NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 8 – President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to decisively deal with sugar cartels in the country, whom he lamented have operated unchecked for years, resulting in the decline of the sector’s prosperity.
President Ruto emphasized that his administration is committed to revitalizing the sugar sector.
He outlined a new approach, stating that the government would lease sugar companies to individuals with specified terms and conditions for their operation.
He added that the days of resorting to privatization are long gone.
“An advertisement will soon be made and individuals will be asked to apply for the leasing program. No more privatization,” he said at Uriri Technical Training Institute, Migori County where he attended a church service.
He issued a stern warning to the sugar cartels, cautioning them that their time of exploiting sugar farmers and significantly contributing to the sector’s decline is coming to an end.
“I will once and for all deal with these robbers because we can not continue to put public money in a hole,” he said.
President Ruto expressed regret that the country has consistently turned to sugar imports over the years, despite having the capability to produce its own.
He emphasized that producing sugar domestically could ultimately boost the country’s economic prosperity and, importantly, generate employment opportunities for the youth.
“This is why I am asking Kenyans to give me time to deal with these robbers and cartels once and for all,” he said.
He revealed that within the next three weeks, the government will unveil a series of measures outlining how the sugar sector will be administered in the country, all aimed at enhancing the sector’s prospects for improvement.
The Cabinet had in August 2023 adopted a resolution to waive a debt of Sh117 billion owed by sugar millers as part of the government’s efforts to transform the sugar industry.
