Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe defended the 4 percent Sugar Development Levy before the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation. He argued the levy, implemented from July 2025, is crucial for sustaining the sugar sector despite industry calls for a lower rate.

• The proceeds are earmarked for areas including cane development (40 percent), factory rehabilitation (15 percent), and research and training (15 percent).
• Mutahi Kagwe, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, and Jude Chesire, Kenya Sugar Board CEO, presented the ministry's position.
• The levy aims to address cane shortages, support new milling investments in Transmara and Bura, and fund Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute (KESRETI) expansion.