Members of the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock  have been conducting public participation on the Sugar Bill 2022, which seeks to address issues affecting the sugar industry. As part of their efforts, the Committee met with stakeholders in the sector, including Transmara Sugar Company and cane farmers' in Transmara, Narok County.

In a session chaired by Hon. Dr.John Mutunga lawmakers' met with Mr. Frederick North Coombes, the Managing Director.

Transmara Sugar Company located in Transmara area, Kilgoris Constituency in Narok County, is 75% owned by a Mauritian company, Sucriere Des Mascareignes Ltd (SML).

Documents submitted during the meeting revealed that the Company has contracted over 17,000 farmers whom they supply with seed cane and fertilizers. The Transmara Company also trains about 1,000 farmers annually on land preparation, seed cane supply, fertiliser application, weeding, harvesting, and transportation.

Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, stated during the engagement, "The Committee is working to address the challenges faced by sugar companies and farmers and is keen on finding solutions to the issues affecting the industry."

While making his presentation, Mr. Coombes acknowledged that the Company faces several issues, one of which is cane poaching, resulting in the loss of 20,000 tonnes of cane in the last two months.

Regarding cane poaching, Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi, MP (Kwanza) said that, "Cane poaching negatively affects investments in the sugar industry, and the Committee is committed to finding measures to reduce it, including further legislation."

As part of the discussions, the management of Transmara Sugar Company proposed that sugar factories should present development plans that include specific millers developing sugar cane in their catchment areas to address the issue of cane poaching and implementation of the Cane testing Units to deter farmers from selling to poachers.

On their part, Cane farmers raised several issues including, delayed payments by Millers for up to two months, and some farmers raised concerns regarding over-mature cane in their farms which has not been harvested and the lack of capabilities to harvest and transport cane causing significant losses to Narok cane farmers.

While speaking on the challenge regarding delayed payment to farmers, Hon. Geoffery Odanga, MP (Matayos)said that, "We are aware of the issue of delayed payments to farmers and will work towards finding solutions to ensure timely payments."

Regarding access to financing, a number of farmers in Narok County do not have title deeds making it difficult to access financing from the Agriculture and Food Authority, the Commodities Fund, Cooperatives and commercial banks.

Farmers also requested for standardized contracts across all sugar farming areas and the freedom to sell cane to any miller. They further sought improvements to infrastructure, including a tarmacked roads.

However, Lawmakers did note that Narok farmers do not have a representative Farmers Association to voice their concerns.

Hon. Pamela Njoki Njeru, MP (Embu County) urged farmers to develop a farmers' association to represent their needs and stated, "It is essential for farmers to have a voice, and the development of a farmers' association will ensure their concerns are adequately represented."

The Sugar Bill, 2022 sponsored by Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, MP, aims to reinstate the Sugar Act, which was repealed by the enactment of the Crops Act, 2013. The proposed Bill focuses on the regulation, development, and promotion of the sugar industry in Kenya, including the establishment of the Kenya Sugar Board and outlining its powers and functions.

The Bill seeks to address the challenges facing the sugar industry, and the Committee's engagement with farmers and industry stakeholders is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. 

Members of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock assured the stakeholders that they are committed to ensuring the sugar industry is regulated, developed, and promoted in Kenya.