Ruto disowns sugar importation plan

Agriculture Minister William Ruto has distanced himself from claims that his ministry is involved in a plan to clear 8,449 tonnes of imported sugar held at the Mombasa port.

Ruto said he was in the process of reviving the sector and could therefore not be party to actions likely to reverse the ongoing reforms.

" Who is bringing my name in all this. I have said that I want to bring reforms in the sugar sector and I can not be the one killing the sugar industry," Ruto told The Standard.

Ruto said he was not involved in the selection of the seven importers whom the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) wants their cargo cleared.

On Tuesday, a letter allegedly written by acting KSB chief executive Rosemary Mkok sought authority from the ministry of Agriculture to authorise clearance of the sugar saying the country faced a shortage. But millers have opposed the move, saying KSB was acting at the behest of importers out to sabotage the local sugar factories.

Ruto appeared to support millers who are opposed to the move by KSB to have the sugar imports held at the port cleared.

Kenya Association of Sugar Manufactures (Kesma) opposed the request saying the country had enough stocks.

Kesma Chairman and Mumias Sugar Company Managing Director Evans Kidero said there was no looming shortage to warrant the imports.

Kidero urged Ruto to speed up implementation of the new rules which are aimed safeguarding the local sugar industry from cheap imports. Ruto has, however, urged local millers to reduce the cost of production so as to be competitive in the region.

source:eaststandard