Ruto’s sugar reforms: Make or break in Nyanza, Western

President William Ruto's plan to lease struggling state-owned sugar factories is rapidly becoming a political issue that could significantly impact his 2027 re-election prospects.

The leasing programme – a bold economic fix – could endear Ruto to the voters from the sugar belt region if successful, or boomerang and alienate him from the farmers who consider cane their economic mainstay.