The government has ordered all individuals and companies involved in sugar repackaging to register with the Kenya Sugar Board by November 17, 2025, in a fresh bid to eliminate substandard and adulterated sugar from the market.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Board invoked powers under Section 61 of the Sugar Act, 2024, and the Sugar (General) Regulations, 2025, directing every repackaging entity to comply with the new registration requirement.
According to the Board, the exercise will enhance traceability, tighten quality control, and ensure only certified sugar reaches consumers. It will also help regulators monitor sugar movement from factories to shelves amid rising concerns about food safety standards.
“All sugar repackaging entities are required to register with the Board,” the notice read in part, adding that the process will be conducted through the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) portal at imis.ksb.go.ke. Only firms meeting the set quality and documentation standards will be approved.
The Kenya Sugar Board said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to streamline the sugar value chain from production to retail to protect farmers, eliminate illicit trade, and guarantee consumers access to quality products.
This directive comes at a time when Kenya’s sugar industry is facing serious challenges. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that between January and August 2025, local sugar production dropped by nearly 25 per cent from 541,681 tonnes in 2024 to 406,807 tonnes this year.
The decline has been linked to a severe shortage of mature cane caused by overharvesting and reduced cultivation. The Kenya Sugar Board in July ordered the temporary shutdown of seven sugar factories, including Mumias, Butali, West Kenya, Nzoia, Naitiri, Busia Sugar, and Olepito, to prevent the milling of immature cane and curb illegal harvesting.
The shortage has driven up retail sugar prices and strained supply, forcing the government to allow duty-free imports to stabilize the market.
As Kenya moves to restore order in the sector, the new registration deadline is expected to weed out rogue traders, protect consumers, and restore public confidence in one of the country’s most crucial agricultural industries.
