AFA to register all sugar packers in Kenya to enhance traceability, quality monitoring 

KENYA – The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced plans to register all sugar packers in Kenya as part of a wider initiative to improve traceability and ensure the quality of sugar sold at retail outlets.  

The registration process, which begins on October 10, 2024, will require all sugar repackagers to provide their details by filling out Form (9),  “Application for Registration of Sugar Repackaging,” and submitting it to the AFA-Sugar Directorate. 

This move is aimed at ensuring that all repackaged sugar in the market meets the required standards and complies with regulatory guidelines.  

Businesses involved in sugar repackaging will also need to secure a Sugar Repackaging Certificate from the AFA-Sugar Directorate to legally operate in the industry. 

The announcement follows Kenya’s decision in September 2024 to ban the importation of sugar from outside the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC).  

The government cited increased local production as the reason for the ban.  

According to Andrew Karanja, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya’s domestic sugar output is expected to surpass 800,000 metric tonnes this year, close to the country’s average annual consumption of 950,000 metric tonnes. 

While imports from COMESA and EAC countries have historically been used to bridge the production shortfall, Karanja noted that safeguards supporting these imports are set to expire in February 2025.  

Kenya has also increased security efforts to combat illegal sugar smuggling along its borders while continuing to uphold its trade agreements with regional partners. 

West Kenya Sugar Company to invest US$29.9M

Meanwhile, West Kenya Sugar Company Limited announced plans to construct a KES 3.86 billion (US$29.9M) distillery plant as part of a product diversification strategy.  

The new facility, to be located near the company’s Kabras sugar factory in Kakamega County, will support the miller’s growing operations amidst intense competition in the domestic sugar market. 

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