Historic milestone: Bungoma Senator David Wakoli elated as Ruto signs Sugar Bill into law

Sugar cane farmers have a reason to smile after President William Ruto finally signed into law the Sugar Bill on Friday, November 1 at State House, Nairobi.

The law is set to revolutionise the lives of about 14 million Kenyans in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).

At the same time, this law will facilitate the re-establishment of the Kenya Sugar Board, introduce the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute besides implementing the Sugar Development Levy that will strengthen the industry by improving production, aligning capacity with supply, enhancing value addition and providing critical funding, the Head of State said.

“Particularly, it facilitates the re-establishment of the Kenya Sugar Board, introduces the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute and implements the Sugar Development Levy that will strengthen the industry by improving production, aligning capacity with supply, enhancing value addition and providing critical funding,” said President Ruto.

And according to the co-author of the Bill, Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, it’s is now time to restore Kenya’s sugar sector as a key driver of the country’s economy.

Senator Wakoli has also termed the enactment into law f the Bill as a historic milestone for the country’s sugar sector.

“As a co-author of this transformative legislation, I am deeply grateful to witness this moment that will revolutionise the lives of over 14 million Kenyans across the Lake Region Economic Bloc,” he said in statement seen by Mulembe News.

Senator Wakoli was among leaders who witnessed as the president signed into law the Bill at State House.

Other leaders present included newly sworn-in Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi among other high-ranking government officials.

“This law reinstates the Kenya Sugar Board with robust regulatory powers, bringing much-needed order to our sugar sector. The introduction of catchment areas will end cane poaching and encourage millers to invest confidently in their farmers,” noted Wakoli.

“I particularly commend the enhanced role of County governments in providing extension services and supporting farmer cooperatives. This is more than just legislation – it’s a lifeline for our cane farmers and the entire sugar sector ecosystem,” he added.

At the same time, he assured sugar cane farmers that the law will work for them and at the end of the day, wipe their tears of long years of endurance as the law represents their resilience and hope for a brighter future.

The enactment of the Sugar Bill sets the right pace for the stimulation of our sugar sector and will address deep-rooted challenges that have for long crippled the once vibrant and profitable industry.