NAIROBI, Kenya — Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has petitioned Chief Justice Martha Koome to expedite the resolution of court cases delaying the implementation of the Sugar Act (Kenya) 2024, which was assented to by President William Ruto in November 2024.
The petition, signed by 16 Senators representing sugar-producing counties, urges the Chief Justice to consolidate and fast-track multiple cases filed in different High Courts challenging various provisions of the law.
Senators Representing Sugar-Growing Counties
The lawmakers represent the following counties: Kericho, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Narok, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu.
Call for Urgent Action
Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Cheruiyot noted that the Sugar Bill took nearly six years of deliberations before being passed in 2024.
“We passed the Sugar Bill in 2024 after almost six years of haggling. Remember in the last Parliament up until June 2022, we were still trying to pass the Bill but we did not succeed,” he said.
Cheruiyot emphasized that many Senators represent constituencies where sugarcane farming is a key economic activity, making the continued legal delays a serious concern for farmers and local economies.
“We must come together and write to the Chief Justice and ask that all those cases be consolidated, heard and determined in the shortest time possible in the interest of millions of Kenyans who depend on sugarcane as an economic activity,” he added.
Farmers’ Hopes Delayed by Litigation
In their petition, the Senators noted that the enactment of the law had initially offered hope to sugar farmers after years of policy uncertainty.
“The Sugar Bill was assented to by H.E. President William Ruto into law on November 1, 2024. After six years of deliberations in Parliament, its signing signalled a new lease of hope to sugar farmers from across the country,” the petition reads.
However, ongoing litigation has prevented farmers from benefiting from the reforms, with court cases challenging the establishment of the sugar board, the election of its directors, and other key provisions of the law.
“In our assessment, the myriad of cases filed against the establishment of the sugar board, election of directors, as well as other provisions in the law need to be resolved expeditiously in the interest of justice,” the petition states.
Request for Judiciary Prioritisation
The Senators attached a list of the various court cases pending across the country and urged the Judiciary to prioritize their determination to enable full implementation of the Sugar Act.
The move highlights the urgency of resolving legal disputes that affect critical sectors of Kenya’s economy, particularly sugarcane farming, which supports millions of livelihoods nationwide.
