Kenya Marks Historic Milestone as Jude Chesire Elected Chairman of the International Sugar Organization Council

 Kenya has achieved a landmark moment on the global stage after Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire was unanimously elected the Chairman of the Council of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) for 2026. His election, the first ever for a Kenyan and an African, places the country at the helm of the world’s most influential sugar governance body based in London.

Chesire’s rise to the top position is being celebrated as a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough for Kenya. It comes at a time when Africa is seeking a stronger voice in global commodity markets and when Kenya’s own sugar sector is undergoing the most ambitious reforms in decades. He takes over from Costa Rica’s Edgar Herrera, whose term ends in 2025.

A Global Vote of Confidence in Kenya’s Reforms

Chesire’s election is widely seen as a recognition of the transformative reforms undertaken in Kenya’s sugar industry under the leadership of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe. Over the past two years, Kenya has revitalised its sugar sector after years of stagnation.

The reform agenda has included the leasing of four state-owned mills—Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Nzoia—to private operators, a move that has unlocked new investment and improved efficiency. More than 47,000 hectares of new sugarcane have been established, significantly increasing raw material supply. Production has risen by an impressive 76 percent, reversing years of decline, while cane prices have increased from KSh 4,350 to KSh 5,750 per tonne, offering much-needed relief to farmers. These changes have strengthened a sector that supports 250,000 direct jobs and nearly six million Kenyans.

This progress, anchored in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), has captured international attention and positioned Kenya as a model of successful agricultural reform.

New Responsibilities on the Global Stage

As ISO Council Chairman, Chesire will assume one of the most influential roles in global sugar governance. He will lead the process of recruiting a new ISO Executive Director to succeed Jose Orive, whose 13-year tenure concludes in December 2026. He will also oversee a comprehensive rewrite of the ISO Constitution—a major undertaking expected to modernise the organisation’s governance structure and strengthen its global mandate.

His leadership will extend to guiding critical discussions on global sugar trade, including pricing, market access, sustainability, the transition to bioethanol, and emerging opportunities such as carbon credits. Chesire will serve alongside Ivory Coast’s Ambassador Ali Touré, who was elected Vice Chairman, giving Africa its strongest representation in ISO leadership to date.

What the Election Means for Kenya

Chesire’s appointment is expected to elevate Kenya’s influence in global sugar markets and policy discussions. With a Kenyan at the helm, the country is likely to secure stronger global market terms for its sugar, attract new investments in milling, ethanol production, cogeneration, and other value-addition ventures, and accelerate progress toward achieving sugar self-sufficiency by 2027.

The chairmanship also strengthens Kenya’s hand in shaping global sugar standards, sustainability frameworks, and market regulations—areas that directly affect the competitiveness of local producers and millers. It also reinforces international confidence in Kenya’s ongoing sugar reforms and the stability of its agricultural sector.

A Defining Moment for Kenya’s Agricultural Leadership

Chesire’s historic election is being hailed as a milestone that goes beyond personal achievement. It positions Kenya as an emerging authority in global agricultural governance and signals the country’s transition from a participant in global markets to an active shaper of international trade policy.

With ongoing reforms, new technologies, and farmer-focused strategies, Kenya is redefining its role in the global sugar industry. Chesire’s election marks the beginning of a new era—one in which Kenya’s voice carries unprecedented weight in shaping the future of global sugar production, trade, and sustainability.