Uhuru urged to address illegal sugar import saga
Fifteen ward representatives have petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta to rein in on those allowing illegal sugar importation.
Addressing a news conference yesterday at Kaburengu, Kakamega county, the Members of the County Assembly (MCA) asked Uhuru to protect the more than 250,000 farmers and six million Kenyans who depend on sugar to educate and feed their families.
The MCAs drawn from Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Kakamega counties said sugar imported from Egypt and Madagascar is allegedly being repackaged in Kenya to disguise the illicit sweetener as a Kenyan product. They threatened to storm border points of Busia and Malaba to cease the illegal.
Unfortunate situation
Although the they supported the establishment of sugarcane pricing committee that is expected to regulate costing of farmers’ sugarcane, they said there was a need for the sector to be protected from unscrupulous individuals.
Led by Kakamega Deputy Speaker and Shirugu-Mugai MCA Leonard Kasaya, who said they would enact County by-laws to regulate importation of the sweetener.
The MCAs accused persons manning border entry points of allowing illegal entry of commodity into the country.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening even as our few operating millers are stuck with thousands of bags of sugar in their depots,” he said.
