The Killing of sugar sector started at the Coast. The Challenge of Mopping up Excess Sugar. Lessons from Black Studded Les Bleus

Farmers working in a sugar cane field / Citizen digital

Sugar deals…

The fact that sugar is consumed by millions of Kenyans makes it a premier 

product. Money makes deals sweet let alone the sugar itself being a sweetener.

Sugar sector is highly lucrative hence the deal making involved. Big money attracts

big boys and big boys are not necessarily the best for a sector that has among its rank

peasant farmers. The killing of agricultural industries has followed a clear pattern,

one which is full of corruption and undermining honest Kenyans who want to make

use of their labour and land to sustain livelihoods.

Political undermining of the sugar sector started in the KANU era. The first culprit

was the Ramisi sugar company situated in Kwale, in the Coastal sugar belt.

It is really unfathomable how a company producing a commodity that is used by millions of

citizens can go into losses and eventually collapse.The fact that Kenya has a sugar deficit

it means that there is more than enough market to benefit cane growers and millers.

Now, those with means and connection have taken advantage of the small deficit to enrich

themselves. After testing the crystal sweetness they also went ahead to manufacture a deficit

 which then they  sought to bridge. But in order to make things look normal, it is necessary to

kill the Kenyan companies so as to make sure that the larger “deficit” is real. 

So with this choreography, solid companies will die. And with it comes the justification to

 import more and more sugar in to Kenya. Companies that sink this way are later sold to for a song.

This has left a chain of suffering of poor farmers who rely on agriculture. 

This exploitative enterprise being unchecked at the Coast, after its cashew nut and sugar victims, 

similar fate would befall coffee sector in the Mount Kenya region and later sugar sector in the 

Western region followed.

It has been bandied around that sugar cane farming is expensive and hence the need to import

because focusing on local production makes no sense in the long run. This neglects the question

of why is it expensive in Kenya compared to Zambia or Sudan?

With urbanization and growing populations around East Africa we will continue to see

lots of intrigues in the sugar sector.

Latest scandals…

Sugar and maize scandals  have occupied public debate for some time now.

Sugar as I have mentioned above has seen manipulation for years.

It is important to note that sugar is so important in growing a country’s economy.

In progressive economies sugar production is nearly a government function.

The opening of a window to import duty free sugar in to Kenya

last year was a major blunder economically speaking. To stabilize the market there will be need to

“mop up” the excess import. This remains a key challenge for the government today.

Besides, any serious endeavour to grow the economy should be moving towards self sustenance.

Local sugar production means that many jobs will be created. Also the byproducts such as alcohol

and animal feeds will roll off thereby benefiting the economy holistically.

Oversupply of maize hit farmers very hard. For the first time the effects of corruption

has come out to directly hit on ordinary citizens. It is heart breaking to see peasant farmers

stuck with their produce with nowhere to sell.

In summary, the trading of sugar scandal and maize scandal between politicians

has revealed the haphazard web of politics and capital that at all times woe to control state power.

Wealth declaration…

There is nothing that has generated heat like the intention by President Kenyatta

to have all public servants declare their wealth and even suggesting that he will lead the way.

If this happens, it will be a noble thing for Kenya. We have plenty of overnight millionaires

who have disillusioned many citizens who have put in many hours and the coins are hardly

trickling in for them. This idea would have been perfectly executed if the peoples’ assemblies

were operational.

World Cup  update…

It has been painful to watch all African teams tumble at group level.

Lions of Teranga made my eyes wet. I had so much hope in them

and all my patience endured to see them play their last match against Colombia.

That thing they call VAR needs to go for sure. I am not sure if that is how technology

can be applied in sports. I will not be surprised if the technology is used to scapegoat

the numerous mistakes made by match officials. Of note in World Cup 2018,

is the numerous cards issued during group matches as well as many goals scored.

Hanging out among football enthusiasts you will not miss to hear the reference to France

as the only African team that advanced to knock out. This is due to the many players in it

 of African descent. Here lies an important lesson: Progressive nations are welcoming persons

 who will make important contributions if given citizenship. African countries don’t appear 

bothered to habour foreign criminals. There were mixed reactions recently when  President Macron conferred citizenship to an illegal migrant of Malian origin who had rescued a minor who was dangling precariously high up a building.