Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has acknowledged that concerns raised by Parliament’s legal team on the Sugar Act and its regulations are valid.
He said that both the regulations and the Act itself require amendments to address existing shortcomings.
He emphasized that the Ministry conducted extensive public participation and will move with speed to introduce the necessary changes.
On the contentious issue of electing directors in the sugar sector, the CS said the matter is currently before court, limiting his ability to act.
“While some have proposed nominations instead of elections, he maintained that elections are preferable since directors are chosen directly by farmers” Kagwe said.
Noting that the resolution must follow the legal process, particularly on issues touching on zoning and governance.
The CS sympathized with farmers’ frustrations and reiterated that reforms are aimed at ensuring they benefit more, highlighting that sugarcane farmers are already receiving weekly payments.
