AFFA Sugar Directorate (Kenya)

The Sugar industry in Kenya started with private investments at Miwani in 1922, followed by Ramisi Sugar Company in 1927. After independence, six additional companies were established namely; Muhoroni (1966), Chemelil (1968), Mumias (1973), Nzoia (1978), South Nyanza (1979), West Kenya (1981), Soin (2006), Butali sugar and Allied, Transmara Sugar, Sukari Industries, Kwale International Sugar Company and Olepito Sugar company.

In addition, there are licensed and operational jaggery millers: Lubao, Shajanand, Farm Industries and Homa Lime Jaggeries who produce jaggery made from sugarcane. There are many informal and mostly mobile jaggeries. Collectively, Jaggeries provide employment to over 5,000 people and alternative market for sugarcane.

The establishment of the parastatals was driven by a national desire to:

• Accelerate social-economic development;
• Address regional economic imbalances;
• Increase Kenyan citizen’s participation in the economy;
• Promote indigenous entrepreneurship; and
• Promote foreign investments through joint ventures.

In Kenya there are large sugarcane plantations and smallholder farms owned by outgrower farmers. AFA Sugar Directorate and the Sugar Research Institute work constantly to help the industry.