Raila Pledges Full Support To Ruto’s Sugar Sector Reforms
ODM leader Raila Odinga has pledged full support for current sugar sector reforms aimed at returning the country’s millers to profitability.
Raila is a significant actor in the broad-based government after signing a collaboration agreement with President William Ruto, whose Kenya Kwanza administration is spearheading the reforms.
On Friday, the government finalized the long-awaited leasing of four state sugar factories.
This represented a watershed moment in efforts to revitalize the once-thriving sugar industry.
The operations of Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni sugar companies were transferred to private millers on a 30-year lease.
The action provoked outrage among officials in cane-growing regions, who continue to call on the government to rescind the leases, alleging, among other things, a lack of sufficient stakeholder involvement.
“This is nothing short of daylight robbery and economic coup de etat,” Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, a Raila ally, said.
PRESS STATEMENT
— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) May 7, 2025
Widows of the Sugar Belt: The Leasing of the Sugar Mills in Kisumu County and the Sure Return to Abject Rural Poverty, Land Grab, and Ethnic Upheavals – Why the Lease Transition Must Be Halted
In 2016, as the Senator of Kisumu County, together with my fallen… pic.twitter.com/eoqty792IN
However, on Wednesday, Raila reaffirmed his commitment to supporting sugar sector reforms when the Kenya Sugar Board, led by chairperson Nicholas Gumbo, paid him a courtesy visit in his Nairobi office.
According to a statement made by his media staff, the ODM leader told the board that he would be available to consult whenever needed.
“The Rt Hon Raila is a key stakeholder in the sugar value chain,” the statement said.
In my capacity as Chair @sugar_board & in the company of fellow board member, Adan Sheikh, I was honoured to pay a courtesy call on H.E The Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, at his private office in Nairobi who is a key stakeholder in the sugar value chain. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/l0pLM5lb5L
— Eng. Nicolas Gumbo Wajonya, CE (@NicolasGumbo) May 14, 2025
“They briefed him on the ongoing reforms in the sugar subsector, which aim to steer the subsector back to the path of growth and attainment of domestic self-sufficiency while ensuring maximum returns for all the players.”
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Gumbo was joined by fellow board member Adan Sheikh.
Raila’s team stated that he gave significant ideas to the guests based on his many years of experience in the sugar subsector in various capacities.
He urged the board to remain focused on its core mandate of ensuring the country attains self-sufficiency through domestic production while transferring maximum benefits to farmers, millers, and all stakeholders.
“He assured the board of his full support for the reforms being undertaken and expressed his readiness to be available to offer advice whenever required,” the statement said.
Raila Pledges Full Support To Ruto’s Sugar Sector Reforms
