Western Kenya sugarcane farmers welcome government move to halt sugar imports
Western Kenya sugarcane farmers have welcomed a decision by the national government to halt sugar imports, expressing hope that the move will ease pressure on local producers who have long complained about being undercut by cheaper foreign supplies, according to ChiniMandi.
Sugarcane farming is a cornerstone of the rural economy across western Kenya, particularly in counties such as Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu, where tens of thousands of smallholder families depend on the crop for their livelihoods. The region is home to several large sugar mills and a network of outgrower schemes that link farmers to processors. For generations, cane has been one of the most reliable cash crops in the area, supporting schools, small businesses and seasonal labour markets.
Kenya’s sugar sector has struggled for years with a combination of high production costs, ageing milling infrastructure and competition from imported sugar entering the domestic market. Local farmers and millers have repeatedly argued that imports depress cane prices and discourage investment in milling modernisation. The issue has also drawn the attention of Kenyan courts in the past, which have previously criticised the irregular licensing of imports.
By suspending imports, the government is signalling its intention to give local producers breathing room and to allow domestic supply to meet national demand. Farmers in western Kenya say the policy could help stabilise cane prices, sustain the outgrower model and protect jobs at a time when many households are already coping with the rising cost of farm inputs such as fertiliser and fuel.
Outlook for the sector
The longer-term impact of the import freeze will depend on how effectively the government supports millers and farmers during the period that imports are restricted. Industry observers note that without parallel reforms in milling efficiency, payment systems and cane variety development, production gains may be limited. For now, however, the response from western Kenya’s cane belt suggests that farmers see the move as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their role in the country’s sugar industry.
Sources
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