Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe has urged Parliament to allocate sufficient funding and support coordinated interventions to stabilise and revive Kenya’s struggling sugar sector, stressing the need for urgent structural reforms.

In a statement posted on the ministry’s official X account on February 20, 2026, Kagwe acknowledged valid concerns raised by Parliament’s legal team regarding the Sugar Act and its regulations.

He confirmed that both the Act and its regulations require amendments to address existing shortcomings.

“The Ministry conducted extensive public participation and will move with speed to introduce the necessary changes,” he said.

On the contentious issue of electing directors in the sugar sector, Kagwe noted the matter is currently before court, limiting immediate action.

While some stakeholders have proposed nominations instead of elections, he maintained that elections are preferable as they allow farmers to directly choose their representatives.

Resolution, he added, must follow due legal process, particularly on zoning and governance matters.

Support for farmers

Kagwe expressed sympathy for farmers’ frustrations, emphasising that ongoing reforms aim to ensure they benefit more directly from the sector. He highlighted progress in payments, noting that sugarcane farmers now receive weekly disbursements.

This reassurance comes amid concerns over delayed benefits and structural inefficiencies that have long affected the industry.

The Cabinet Secretary also recalled the nationwide strike by sugar factory workers, which was suspended after high-level talks chaired by his office.

The strike, which began on January 29, 2026, paralysed operations at Muhoroni, Nzoia, Sony, and Chemelil factories, with workers demanding settlement of Ksh10.8 billion in unpaid salary arrears and terminal benefits. An initial Ksh1 billion will be released within two weeks, with the balance cleared in phases through supplementary and future budgets.

Funding and sector stabilisation

Kagwe urged Parliament to provide adequate funding to stabilise the sector, highlighting the need for coordinated interventions to address structural challenges.

He cautioned against actions targeting third parties that could delay recovery and clarified that arrears stemmed from the transition to private millers, not current lessees.

Union leaders, including Secretary Francis Wangara, welcomed the government’s commitment but noted ongoing concerns over delayed union deductions, which will be addressed in follow-up discussions.

Kagwe apologised for delays caused by fiscal constraints and emphasised that broader interventions are essential to strengthen the sugar industry and secure sustainable benefits for farmers and workers alike.