A month after the Cabinet sanctioned the extension of duty-free sugar imports, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) set new rules to protect buyers from substandard products and also tame rogue traders.
Following the free import window that was gazetted on August 9, 2023, KEBS set rules for sugar consignment entering the country.
The move is aimed at reducing the cost of sugar in the country where 2 kilogramme crossed over Ksh420.
In a notice, the standards regulator indicated that all imported sugar with Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) will undergo mandatory re-inspection and testing at the port of entry free of charge.
“The sampling will take place in the presence of the importer or appointed agent and will be subjected to tests to verify compliance with the relevant requirements of the standards,” KEBS insisted.
Sugar procured from countries with no KEBS inspection agents will be subjected to destination inspection. For inspection to be done, an inspection fee will be required to be paid which is equivalent to 0.6 per cent of the approved customs value and testing fee.
Further, imported sugar with no Certificates of Conformity will be inspected upon arrival at a fee equivalent to five per cent of the approved customs values.
The sugar shortage in the country was caused by the current crisis involving milling firms based in the Western part of the country.
Following the crisis, the Agriculture and Food Authority suspended the milling of sugar in July to allow factories to address the sugarcane shortage challenge.
Appearing before the National Assembly, sugar stakeholders advised the government to clear the pending debts in order to revive the sector.
Their appeal came after a treasury memorandum tabled in parliament by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa indicated that the government wants to write off debts mounting to Ksh115.8 billion it owed alongside the Kenya Sugar Board.
Treasury in its memorandum put the debt status of the five public sugar mills at Ksh128 billion with Nzoia leading with a debt of Ksh62.6 billion, and Muhoroni second with a debt of over Ksh26 billion. It was followed by Miwani which is under receivership with debts amounting to Ksh22 billion, Chemelil and South Nyanza followed suit.
On his side, President William Ruto directed investors and stakeholders to withdraw court cases blocking the revival of the sugar sector in the country.
