No hope for farmers as rival sugar reports outFarmer Daniel Mmang’ale inspects his sugarcane plantation at Handidi village in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, on August 19, 2015. Their fears have been lent credence by a protest letter to Kiunjuri from the sole farmers’ representative in the committee, Francis Waswa, formerly of Nzoia Outgrowers Company (NOCO), who claimed that farmers views were not captured in the final report. SEE ALSO :Sugar task force starts work despite warningIn October 2017, Justice Chacha Mwita suspended a notice issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich allowing the importation of duty-free sugar from outside the Comesa market, a move that was hailed by farmers. Although the Kiunjuri report has not been officially released by the President, it recommends banning of millers from importing sugar and cane poaching by sugar factories. It says: “We need clearly defined guidelines and regulations for sugar imports and exports to curb excessive importation and ensure a stable market.

Source: Standard Digital June 15, 2019 21:00 UTC