Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP), Babu Owino, has emphasized the importance of addressing sugar cartels in Kenya to protect and promote the country’s local sugar industry. He believes this action will help generate much-needed employment opportunities for Kenyan citizens.
MP Babu Owino expressed his concern about Kenya’s dependence on sugar imports, despite having the necessary resources to produce sugar locally. He pointed out that Egypt, despite being a desert country, is one of the world’s leading sugar-producing nations.
Babu Owino stated, “We must fight sugar cartels in Kenya and promote our local industries, which will, in turn, create jobs for Kenyans. If Egypt, a desert country, can grow sugarcane, why do we need to import sugar when we have fertile land to cultivate sugarcane?”
This statement by the MP comes in the context of reports of a sugar shortage in the country, which is largely attributed to the activities of these ‘cartels.’
In August, President William Ruto assured the Western region that his administration would address the sugar issue. He committed to revitalizing the sugar sector in the Western region and emphasized his determination to tackle the sugar cartels. He also proposed waiving debts amounting to Sh117 billion accrued by sugar factories.
During an address to Nyando residents in Kisumu County, President Ruto reiterated his commitment to resolving the problems in the sugar factories. He stated, “Sugar is critical, and I will sort out the problems in our sugar factories for good.” Ruto emphasized that the corrupt individuals in the sugar sector had three options: jail, relocation from Kenya, or heaven.
