Members of the National Assembly continued debate on the Sugar Bill )National Assembly Bill Number 34 of 2022).

The Bill proposes the introduction of a sugar development levy on imported sugar. This is intended  to support the local sugar industry. The levy allocation is outlined as follows: 15 per cent for the maintenance of local factories, 15 percent for local research, 40 percent for cane development for farmers, 15 percent for the Sugar Regulation Board, and 10 percent for roads and infrastructure development in sugar belt regions.

Another critical provision in the Bill are the guidelines to ensure that Government-owned sugar mills find strategic partners who can enhance their productivity. This measure aims to benefit the numerous sugar farmers who have been adversely affected by the struggling industry.

The Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) emphasized the importance of the Bill in bringing stability to residents who depend on sugar farming for income. He stated that if the Bill is  passed, the law will greatly contribute to bringing sanity to the industry. "It will empower the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) to fulfill its mandate and ensure sugar development in all sugar-producing regions," he said. 

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance, Hon. Kuria Kimani (Molo), supported the Bill, recognizing the urgent need to revive sugar companies.