Ligawa appointed new Kenya Sugar Millers Association CEO

By Peter Ochieng

There’s a new sheriff in town, owing to the appointment of Stephen Ligawa as the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Sugar Millers Association (KESMA).

Ligawa, the former Sony Sugar Managing Director (MD) takes over from Saulo Wasilwa who served and left in 2022.

While welcoming the new CEO, KESMA chair Jayanti Patel said Ligawa brings over 30 years’ experience in the sugar sector.

Prior to his new role, he served for two months at the new Angata sugar factory in Narok county. "We are happy to bring Ligawa on board to run the sugar manufacturer's secretariat," said Patel.

“He will be expected to provide leadership and help the agency to champion sound sugar policies as he acts as the link between the government, industry investors and manufacturers,” he added.

Among other issues, the new CEO pledged to address the poor state of roads in sugar growing areas around the country.

“The roads leading to and out of the sugar industry have been a bane in hauling cane. They are causing the millers and farmers massive losses due to cane spillage,” he stated.

KESMA majorly swings into action during the pricing of sugar, with negotiations roping in the Kenya Sugarcane Growers' Association (KESGA). Negotiations take into consideration various factors such as cost of production and other costs.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) sugar directorate facilitates the process by undertaking independent studies on costs of sugarcane production and processing of sugar, which serve as useful guidelines for the industry.

The ratio of sharing proceeds from the sale of sugar between the farmers and millers is negotiated on the basis of sugarcane weight.

A payment system based on cane quality is always implemented as per the modalities set out in the guidelines for the sugar industry agreements.