Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o, alongside other leaders during a stakeholders meeting on sugar industry in Kenya at the Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu November 16, 2017. [Photo|Anyang Nyong'o]The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with the Council of Governors and the County Government of Kisumu convened a stakeholders meeting to look into the status of the sugar industry in Kenya, held at the Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu.Participants during the meeting on Thursday included the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Willy Bett, representatives from the Ministry and the Agriculture and Food Authority, governors led by Anyang Nyong'o, MPs, CeCs, MCAs, representatives of farmers and sugar millers and development partners.
Stakeholders at the meeting proposed various measures to improve the fortunes of the industry, which includes; 1. Privatisation of sugar industries be implemented in a manner agreeable to the stakeholders.2. The sugar industry regulations should be fast- tracked and gazetted upon resolution of the licencing issue raised by the Council of Governors.3. Re/establishment of a cane development fund.4. Promotion of research on crop varieties and commercialization of seed cane production.5.Debt waiver for the State-owned milling companies in preparation for privatisation.6. Ending illegal importation and illegal packaging of sugar.7. Introduction of zoning and block farming practices and review of construction and operations of weighing bridges.8. Restoration of extensive services.9. Investment in transport infrastructure in the sugar-growing areas within the possibility of introducing light rails.10. Diversification of products from Sugar milling companies, including processing efficiency, among other interventions in policy and practices. The policy choices should find expression in industry regulations.The critical outcome of the meeting was the renewal of commitment by the national government and county government in sugar growing areas, as well as other industry players to pool efforts and resources for the revival of sugar industry in the country. Some of the solutions suggested during the meeting will be implemented through Rapid Results Initiative by both national and county governments.