Address concerns of sugar cane farmers

Kenya: The signing of sugar trade agreement between Kenyan and Ugandan governments has attracted attention of people from all walks of life, especially the Kenyan political class.

What remains unclear is whether politicians want to battle for supremacy in the whole matter or address the concerns of the cane farmers. While the government is trying by all means to convince Kenyans that the trade agreement between the two states is healthy for the country, opposition on the other hand is using the same opportunity to nail the government for failing to address the woes facing sugar industry in Kenya.

While blame game is taking the lead by some politicians being accused of owing the dying Mumias sugar company millions of money, what concerned sugarcane farmer want to know is the details of the trade agreement and how it is going to affect local sugar industries.

Are there policies protecting local sugar industries? How will the trade agreement affect the local sugar industries? Since we are told imported sugar is going for Sh180 while the local sugar sells at Sh200, we don’t need an economist to tell us what is likely to occur. The fate of sugar industry that is trying to stay afloat will be at stake.

The government should first seek to solve the problems facing sugar industry before it settles for the deal to import sugar from Uganda. We cannot assume the crucial role the local sugar industries are playing in the economy of this country. Apart from providing job opportunities, they are also source of revenue to the government.

At the same time we should not ignore the importance of trade between Kenya and Uganda, as this kind of corporation fosters unity and understanding. It is a healthy idea but policies should be put in place to guide such kind of agreements.

The political leaders should not take the advantage of the situation surrounding the sugar deal to campaign for their political parties instead; they should address the concerns of the sugarcane farmers.