The right regulations that favour sugarcane farmers and keep away cartels are key, according to Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga. Sugarcane farming has lost its allure to some farmers in the Western region, coinciding with the collapse of major sugar factories like Nzoia and Mumias Sugar Companies, and a lot has been attributed to poor regulations, infiltration of cartels into the market among other reasons. Speaking to West FM during an interview on Crossfire, Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga said a Sugar Bill should be in place, and it will cater for the needs of farmers.
He said the sector was destroyed by cartels, “They influenced regulations to favor them and they could import sugar from outside Kenya.” He said farmers should be paid on time and in line with the competitive rate, “They should be paid well and not incur losses because the money they are given can’t cater and compensate for the work that they’ve done, that is always the problem.” Prior to announcing a raft of measures to aid the ailing sugar sector including the plan to clear debts owed by sugar companies, leasing of state owned sugar companies, suspension on importation of sugar among others months ago, Agriculture CS Peter Munya said sugar actor regulations will change.
The sugar sector taskforce formed BG President Uhuru Kenyatta has also so far guided the resolutions to revive the sugar sector, including regulations that favor the farmer. Speaking then, CS Munya said new regulations including the ban on importation of sugar are meant to protect the local farmers. Further, MP Odanga has also reiterated that sugarcane farming is a staple in the region, and people are already used to it. On the matter of leasing the state owned sugar mills, he said more participation should be done, so that it’s clear what’s happening. He said some may take advantage of the long leasing duration to steal land.
