Ruto threatens ‘hammer’ action over sugar board impasse
Kenyan President William Ruto has threatened legal and administrative action against individuals he claims are obstructing the Kenya Sugar Board. He alleges these individuals are blocking the use of Sh4 billion in sugar levy funds intended for infrastructure and agricultural development.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Kenyan government and private sector interests over the management of agricultural funds and industry regulation.
President William Ruto at the Agriculture & Food Security Summit, engaging with Kenyans during the Presidential Town Hall at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi on October 8, 2026/Screengrab President William Ruto has threatened to take action against individuals he accused of frustrating the operations of the Kenya Sugar Board, saying the dispute has prevented the use of about Sh4 billion collected through the sugar levy.
Speaking during the Agriculture and Food Security Presidential Town Hall at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi on Thursday, Ruto said the money was meant to fund road improvements, develop and supply seed cane to farmers and support research into better sugarcane varieties.
“We have collected about Sh4 billion from the sugar levy to ensure we have passable roads, develop seed cane and supply seed cane to farmers and ensure there is research on better varieties of cane for development,” he said.
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