By Florence Mutinda.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries held a Public Participation forum at Nzoia Sugar Company Guest House on Saturday, 2nd March 2024 with stakeholders in the Sugar Industry to discuss the sugar bill 2022. The Bill is among key issues, proposing the introduction of Sugar Development Levy, reintroduction of Kenya Sugar Board, establishment of Sugar Arbitration Tribunal and the Kenya Sugar Research Training Institute, sugarcane pricing committee as well as delineation of sugar catchment area into five zones. The Chairman of the Board Hon. Alfred Khang’ati welcomed all stakeholders to Company grounds and requested the Senate to ensure that this time round the bill sees the light of day. Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of Nzoia Sugar Company, CPA Ezron Kotut proposed the inclusion of millers among the licensed sugar importers, inclusion of factory inspectors among crop inspectors, enforcement of zoning to avert cane poaching menace, sugar development levy to support the industry and acknowledgement of manufacturers by dealers who repackage sugar among others. The Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) Secretary General Mr. Bernard Wanyonyi requested for the inclusion of the plight of Sugar factory workers in the bill to ensure their interests are well taken care of. Present during the event was the Senator Bungoma County Hon. Wafula Wakoli who hosted the senate committee members, the Governor of Bungoma County His Excellency Kenneth Lusaka, Kanduyi MP Hon. John Makali, Local MCA Hon. Caleb Wanjala, Farmers’ Representatives led by NOCO Chairman Christopher Sifuna, individual cane farmers, Management and Board representatives of Nzoia Sugar Company.