The government has launched a multi-stakeholder committee tasked with reopening the Kwale International Sugar Company Limited (KISCOL), which has been closed for several years. This initiative aims to revive thousands of jobs and increase Kenya's domestic sugar output.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that the Kenya Sugar Board will lead the committee. It will include representatives from the national and Kwale county governments, investors, farmers, security agencies, and local leaders. The group will tackle legal, operational, and social issues that have hindered the factory's operation.
Economic and Social Impact
KISCOL is a significant sugar investment with modern milling facilities, extensive irrigated estates, and a large outgrower network. When fully operational, it can process thousands of tonnes of sugarcane daily, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across farming, transport, mechanical services, irrigation, and manufacturing sectors.
Beyond sugar production, the factory has potential for value addition through molasses, ethanol, and electricity generated from bagasse. This diversification is expected to stimulate economic growth in Kwale and neighboring counties.
Addressing Key Challenges
CS Kagwe highlighted that the factory's challenges extend beyond funding. Issues such as land disputes, cane shortages, vandalism, delayed payments to farmers, and insecurity require coordinated efforts. Immediate plans include settling Sh66 million owed to farmers to rebuild trust and encourage cane production.
The CS urged residents to protect sugarcane farms and irrigation infrastructure, warning that destruction only delays recovery. He also called on the Kwale County Government to expedite resettlement of approximately 15,000 squatters occupying nearly 7,000 acres of factory land, a major obstacle to resuming full operations.
Looking Ahead
Drawing on successful sugar factory revivals in Western Kenya, Kagwe emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, investors, and communities. The committee will develop a clear framework defining stakeholder roles and prioritizing farmers’ interests.
Government support will focus on transparency, accountability, and sound technical planning covering irrigation, cane development, factory operations, financing, and sustainability. Once reopened, KISCOL is expected to drive economic development, create youth employment, and support growth across multiple sectors in the Coast region.
