Mutuse backs sugar import probe, calls for stronger protection of Kenyan farmers

Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has defended Parliament's investigation into the importation of raw sugar by Mombasa Sugar Refinery Limited, expressing concerns that loopholes could undermine recent advancements in Kenya's sugar sector. During a speech in the National Assembly on August 12, 2026, Mutuse called for robust protection of local farmers while allowing imports only when absolutely necessary to address production shortfalls.

The parliamentary inquiry into a 27,000-tonne sugar shipment is now at a crucial point, with lawmakers scrutinizing the consignment's importation, transit, classification, taxation, and utilization. In response to the probe, Mutuse highlighted the Sugar Act enacted by the previous Parliament, which he credited for revitalizing the industry that had previously been in decline.

He noted that Kenya experienced a production surplus of approximately 1.915 million metric tonnes in 2024, which declined to about one million tonnes in 2025 due to adverse weather conditions. For 2026, he predicted production at roughly one million tonnes, against a consumption range of 1.1 to 1.2 million tonnes. Mutuse emphasized that a deficiency must be addressed through imports or alternative methods.

However, he cautioned against industrial sugar imports leaking into the consumer market, emphasizing that such practices should be strictly prohibited. The inquiry has also been investigating the documentation and regulatory procedures associated with the sugar consignment. Mutuse underscored the need to safeguard farmers, asserting that their welfare remains the government's primary concern.

He praised recent improvements, such as quicker payments to sugarcane farmers and reduced fertilizer costs, but warned that these reforms should not be undermined by individuals seeking to profit from system vulnerabilities. Mutuse urged Parliament and the government to maintain support for local production while closing loopholes that could enable industrial sugar to compete with locally produced sugar in the consumer market.