The Kenya Sugar Board has dismissed claims that harmful sugar worth Ksh1.5 billion was imported, repackaged and released into the local market.
According to the board, no industrial sugar has been allowed for human consumption and the consignment at the centre of the row remains under strict control.
In a statement issued after appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the regulator said allegations that “harmful sugar” had been distributed locally were false.
“The allegation that a consignment of harmful sugar worth Ksh1.5bn has been imported in the country, repackaged and distributed to the domestic market is false. No harmful sugar has been released for human consumption,” the board said.
The board said it has put in place compliance mechanisms to ensure sugar imported under the duty remission framework is strictly used for industrial purposes, including annual audits on manufacturers to establish capacity and annual requirements.
It said it submits individual company requirements to the National Treasury’s Duty Remission Committee for consideration and approval, after which manufacturers import on a consignment-specific permit basis and file monthly returns showing quantities allocated, imported and utilised.
The regulator further revealed that the country remains a net importer due to a production deficit, citing output of 472,773 metric tonnes in 2023, 815,454 metric tonnes in 2024 and 611,576 metric tonnes in 2025 against consumption of 1,152,205 metric tonnes in 2025 alone.
According to the board industrial sugar is not the same as table sugar and is intended for use by industrial manufacturers such as bakeries, beverage plants and large-scale food processors.
Additionally, the board insisted it has not allowed the importation, selling or repackaging of industrial sugar for consumer markets, saying it continues to enforce the Sugar Act, 2024 to ensure products in the market meet required standards.
