Kenya Sugar Board launches nationwide crackdown on illegal sugar trade 

KENYA – The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting businesses engaged in the illegal distribution and sale of sugar across the country. 

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, August 27, the board’s Product Quality Officer, Joseph Wafula, said the operation would cover both small-scale and large-scale sugar retailers, including shops and supermarkets, that contravene sugar trade regulations. 

According to Wafula, several individuals in Nairobi have already been apprehended with large consignments of sugar intended for unlawful sale. He added that legal action will be taken against offenders once investigations are concluded. 

“This crackdown is part of the mandate of the Kenya Sugar Board as per the Sugar Act number 11 of 2024. During the operation, some of the goods were seized, and we have already started investigations. Further analysis will also be done,” Wafula stated. 

The sale of sugar in Kenya is regulated by strict guidelines focusing on quality, consumer protection, and traceability. Distributors are required to register with the government for monitoring purposes and disclose the origin of their sugar. These measures aim to curb smuggling and protect consumers from unsafe products. 

The announcement comes just a week after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) intercepted hundreds of bags of counterfeit sugar smuggled into Kenya from Somalia. The consignment was seized in collaboration with security agencies at Sabaki Security Patrol Point in Malindi. 

According to the ACA, the operation resulted in the seizure of 676 bags of counterfeit sugar branded under various labels, jerricans of cooking oil, and three trucks used for transport. Eight suspects were arrested and detained at Malindi Police Station. The goods were valued at approximately Kes10 million. 

The authority further warned that illicit sugar smuggling not only undermines the country’s revenue base but also fuels illicit trade networks and could potentially contribute to terrorist financing. 

The sugar sector has faced heightened scrutiny in recent months. In July, opposition leader and Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka alleged that 25,000 metric tonnes of unfit sugar had been offloaded at the Port of Mombasa and was being transported to Western Kenya for repackaging. He claimed the consignment, deemed unfit at its origin, had been cleared by local authorities. 

However, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) dismissed the claims, terming them “false and misleading.” KEBS reiterated that all sugar imports undergo stringent inspection procedures to ensure consumer safety before entering the market. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.