Kenya's sugar directorate set for autonomy after Senate passes bill

Published 2024년 10월 31일

Tridge summary

The Kenyan Senate has approved the Sugar Bill 2023, which aims to restore the Kenya Sugar Board's autonomy from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). The bill is now pending presidential approval. If enacted, it will reinstate the Sugar Directorate, enabling it to collect the sugar development levy, manage research into new cane varieties, and oversee the sugar industry's regulation, development, and promotion. The bill also specifies a levy on domestic sugar to fund various improvements within the industry. This development marks a significant step in re-establishing an independent entity to oversee Kenya's sugar industry, in response to stakeholder demands.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Kenya's Sugar Directorate is poised to gain autonomy after the Senate passed the Sugar Bill 2023, setting it on track to become the Kenya Sugar Board once again. The legislation, which awaits presidential assent, would dismantle the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) by allowing several of its founding bodies to regain independence. The move is seen as a win for industry stakeholders who have long called for the Sugar Directorate to be restored as an independent agency with a broader mandate. If signed into law, the Kenya Sugar Board, dissolved in 2013 when AFA was created, will regain its authority to collect the sugar development levy, a key function it managed before its disbandment. The board will also lead research into new cane varieties to boost productivity in the sector. Under the new structure, the board's responsibilities will include regulation, development, and promotion of Kenya's sugar industry while ensuring equitable access to industry benefits for all ...

Source: All Africa