Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has voiced strong support for Parliament’s ongoing investigation into the importation of raw sugar by Mombasa Sugar Refinery Limited. He highlighted the risks posed by loopholes that allow industrial sugar to enter the domestic consumer market, potentially undermining progress made in Kenya’s sugar industry.

Speaking in the National Assembly on August 12, 2026, Mutuse emphasized the need for sugar imports to be strictly regulated and limited to cases where local production cannot meet demand. This comes as lawmakers scrutinize a 27,000-tonne sugar consignment, focusing on its importation process, classification, taxation, and intended use. Independent testing of sugar samples has also been mandated as part of the inquiry.

Reforms Reviving Kenya’s Sugar Sector

Mutuse credited the enactment of the new Sugar Act, championed by Parliament and led by the Member for Navakholo, with revitalizing an industry that had long struggled. He noted that the reforms have improved payment timelines for sugarcane farmers to within seven to ten days and reduced fertiliser costs, boosting the sector’s sustainability.

Balancing Production Deficit and Import Needs

Kenya faces a shortfall between sugar production and consumption. Production peaked at approximately 1.915 million metric tonnes in 2024 but dropped in 2025 due to adverse weather. Projections for 2026 estimate output at around one million tonnes, against an annual consumption of 1.1 to 1.2 million tonnes.

  • Mutuse acknowledged that imports may be necessary to fill this gap.
  • However, he warned against industrial sugar imports being diverted into the consumer market, which could harm local producers.

Protecting Farmers Amid Import Challenges

Mutuse urged the government and Parliament to prioritize the welfare of sugarcane farmers by closing regulatory loopholes that allow exploitation of the import system. He stressed that the reforms benefiting farmers must not be compromised by private interests seeking undue profits.

“Our farmers are the primary focus, and must remain the primary focus of our government,” Mutuse said, underscoring the importance of continued support for local sugar production.