“Sugar Crisis Under Spotlight” — Senate Committee Holds Heated Talks With Bungoma Farmers Over Industry Collapse Fears

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has moved to confront mounting challenges facing Kenya’s sugar industry following a high-level stakeholder engagement held in Bungoma County.

The session, chaired by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, brought together sugarcane farmers, factory managers, county officials and national government representatives to deliberate on long-standing issues affecting the sugarcane subsector and farmer livelihoods.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, focused on the persistent operational and structural challenges that continue to undermine sugar production and delay reforms in one of the country’s key agricultural value chains.

Farmers from across Bungoma presented a series of grievances, highlighting delayed payments by sugar factories, low cane prices, irregular harvesting permits and poor road infrastructure that has made transportation of cane costly and inefficient.

They warned that the continued inefficiencies in the sector were pushing many farmers into financial distress, with some abandoning sugarcane farming altogether due to low returns and high production costs.

Stakeholders also raised concerns over inadequate agricultural extension services, noting that many farmers lack access to technical support and modern farming practices that could improve yields and productivity.

They further called for the development of fast-maturing cane varieties to reduce production cycles and increase profitability for farmers, especially small-scale growers who form the majority in the region.

Other concerns included shortages of agronomists, weak institutional support structures and lack of properly equipped medical facilities to handle injuries sustained during cane farming activities, which farmers said expose them to unnecessary risks.

Farmers also urged Parliament to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing the sugar industry, arguing that weak enforcement has allowed inefficiencies and exploitation to persist for years.

In response, Senator Wakoli assured stakeholders that the committee had received both oral submissions and written memoranda and would retreat to review the issues raised before proposing policy and legislative interventions.

He emphasized that the Senate remains committed to revitalizing the sugar subsector and ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation and improved services from millers and relevant agencies.

“We have listened to the concerns of farmers and stakeholders. The committee will carefully consider all submissions with a view to supporting reforms that will strengthen the sugar industry and improve livelihoods,” Wakoli said.

The senator further underscored the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement and public participation in shaping agricultural policies that respond to the needs of farmers across the country.

Other members of the committee present included Senators Alexander Munyi Mundigi, Mwenda Gataya, Catherine Mumma and Consolata Wakwabubi, alongside National Assembly representatives including Webuye East MP Martin Pepela and Kanduyi MP John Makali.

The Bungoma engagement comes at a time when Kenya’s sugar sector is facing renewed scrutiny over efficiency, farmer welfare and competitiveness amid ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing production and improving value chains.

Agricultural stakeholders say the outcome of the Senate committee’s deliberations could play a key role in shaping the future of sugar farming, particularly in Western Kenya, where thousands of households depend on cane farming for their livelihoods.