The Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute (KESERTI) is a newly established statutory body created under the Sugar Act No. 11 of 2024. Its primary mandate is to advance research, innovation, and training in Kenya’s sugar industry, thereby supporting the sector’s transformation and sustainability.

Background and Establishment

The KESERTI was formed as part of broader reforms to revitalize Kenya’s sugar sector, following the signing of the Sugar Bill 2022 into law by President William Ruto in November 2024. The Institute takes over sugar research functions previously managed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Its creation is intended to address persistent challenges in the industry, including declining productivity, outdated technologies, and the need for improved value addition.

Legal Status and Governance

KESRETI is a body corporate with perpetual succession, capable of owning property, entering contracts, borrowing and lending money, and performing all acts necessary for its functions. The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from key stakeholder groups, including sugarcane growers, manufacturers, county governments, and experts in sugar technology and agricultural research. The chairperson is appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture through a competitive process.

Functions and Mandate

The core functions of the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute include:

• Promoting, coordinating, and regulating research in sugarcane, sugar by-products, and related technologies.
• Facilitating equitable access to research information, resources, and innovations, and promoting their application in the industry.
• Formulating policy recommendations on sugar research, development, and training.
• Overseeing and ensuring that all sugar research aligns with national priorities.
• Providing grants for research and training aligned with national sugar research priorities.
• Supporting training and capacity building for the sugar industry workforce.
• Coordinating with institutions and agencies involved in sugar research.
• Establishing platforms for sharing research findings and advancing technology transfer.
• Conducting training in industry best practices and value addition.
• Breeding and promoting sugarcane varieties suited to Kenya’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
• Researching nutritional requirements of sugar crops and recommending appropriate inputs.
• Studying pests and diseases affecting sugarcane and recommending control strategies.
• Developing agronomic packages and evaluating farm machinery for efficient sugar production.
• Promoting sustainable productivity, environmental stewardship, and human safety in the industry.
• Collaborating with government, industry, universities, and international organizations to further its mission.

Funding and Support

KESRETI will receive structured funding through allocations from the National Assembly and a Sugar Development Levy, which is capped at 4% of the value of domestic and imported sugar. Of these funds, 15% is specifically allocated to research, ensuring sustained support for the Institute’s activities.

Role in the Sugar Sector

The establishment of KSRTI is a cornerstone in the government’s plan to rejuvenate the sugar industry. By focusing on cutting-edge research, technology transfer, and industry training, the Institute is expected to:

• Boost sugarcane productivity and milling efficiency.
• Enhance value addition and product diversification.
• Improve disease and pest management.
• Strengthen the capacity of farmers, millers, and other stakeholders through targeted training and extension services.

Transition from Previous Institutions

With the operationalization of the Sugar Act 2024, KESRETI assumes the sugar research functions previously held by KALRO and its predecessors, consolidating research efforts under a specialized institution dedicated solely to the sugar sector.