Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire/COURTESY
Kenya has scored one of its biggest global wins in decades after Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire was unanimously elected chairman of the Council of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) for 2026.
Chesire becomes the first Kenyan and the first African to ever hold the top seat of the world’s leading sugar governance body headquartered in London and affiliated to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
His election, taking over from Edgar Herrera of Costa Rica, cements Kenya’s arrival on the global sugar stage at a defining moment when the continent is positioning itself as a major producer, exporter, and value-addition hub.
His elevation signals international recognition of Kenya’s sweeping sugar sector reforms, which he has steered under the leadership of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Under these reforms, four state-owned sugar mills, Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Nzoia, have been leased to private operators, unlocking long-awaited efficiency and investment.
A total of 47,123 hectares of new cane have been established, sugar production has risen by 76% after nearly two decades of decline, and cane prices have increased from Sh4,350 to Sh5,750 per tonne, restoring farmer dignity.
The sector now supports 250,000 direct jobs and nearly six million livelihoods.
These achievements, championed under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), have drawn global admiration and positioned Kenya as a case study in successful agricultural reform.
As Chairman of the world’s premier sugar body, Chesire will play a pivotal role in key global decisions.
He will oversee the recruitment of a new Executive Director and CEO to replace Jose Orive of Guatemala, whose 13-year tenure ends in December 2026.
"Kenya will now sit at the very centre of global sugar governance. This gives us a voice in shaping policy on trade, sustainability, pricing, and innovation. It is an opportunity we intend to use to benefit our farmers and strengthen our industry," said Kagwe.
He will also guide the ongoing rewrite of the ISO constitution, a historic overhaul of the organization’s governance structure.
Chesire’s leadership will shape global sugar trade policy, from price stabilization and trade barriers to carbon credits, bioethanol markets, and sustainability standards, ensuring Kenya sits at the head of the table during major decisions.
His election, alongside Ambassador Ali Touré of the Ivory Coast as Vice Chairman, also gives Africa its strongest representation in ISO history.
For Kenya, this leadership position opens new pathways to secure better global market terms for its sugar, attract international investments in milling, cogeneration, ethanol, and value-addition, and accelerate the country’s goal of achieving sugar self-sufficiency by 2027.
It also strengthens Kenya’s influence on global policies affecting tariffs, standards, and market access, while enhancing the credibility of the country’s sugar reforms.
Beyond the personal achievement, Chesire’s election marks global validation of Kenya’s agricultural governance and reinforces the Ministry’s push to modernise and commercialise the sector.
“This milestone is not just about international recognition, it is about our local farmers," said the CS.
As Kenya continues revitalising the sugar industry, supported by private-sector investment, digital traceability, improved seed varieties, stronger research systems, and farmer-centred policies, his chairmanship gives the country a strategic advantage at a time when sugar remains one of the world’s most traded commodities.
His election affirms that Kenya is no longer just a participant in global agriculture; it is now a leader shaping the future of the sector.
