The Council of Governors chairperson for the Agriculture Committee, Kenneth Lusaka, has submitted a legislative memorandum on the National Assembly 2022 Sugar Bill to the Senate for consideration.
The CoG is seeking a review of the bill to incorporate the devolved functions of county governments
The submissions were presented before the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries chaired by Kirinyaga Senator James Murango.
The CoG argues that the amended bill does not factor in the coordinated action and approach in revitalising the ailing sugar industry between the national and county governments and other stakeholders for the benefit of the sugar cane farmers.
Lusaka asked that the bill be aligned with the provisions that county governments are supposed to license millers while the board licenses importers and exporters.
He added that the Sugar Board will register and license sugar and jaggery mills, exporters, importers, and dealers and oversee policies, plans, and programmes of work for the development of the industry.
The Bungoma governor said county governments are to issue sugar cane nursery certificates, register and license sugar and jaggery mills, warehouses, and other dealers except importers and exporters in the county, and formulate and implement the county sugar sub-sector strategic plan.
He said a person shall not operate a sugar mill or jaggery mill unless he or she is a holder of a current license issued by the county government.
County executive committee members should issue licenses for a sugar mill, warehouse, or a jaggery mill as prescribed, among other recommendations.
"The centrality of devolution in the agriculture sector is something that cannot be wished away in the revitalisation of the sugar industry. It should be emphasised in the Sugar Bill, 2022," Lusaka said.
