Fresh concerns have emerged over the safety of sugar sold in Kenya after local manufacturers warned Parliament that raw sugar meant for industrial processing is increasingly finding its way into retail outlets. Appearing before the National Assembly's Trade Committee on Wednesday, August 5, the sugar industry stakeholders urged the government to regulate sugar imports, arguing that rising imports have created loopholes allowing raw sugar to be sold as ordinary table sugar. "Raw sugar should only be allowed into the country as a short-term measure to address deficits and to cushion food, beverage, pharmaceutical and distillery industries that rely on industrial sugar," said a Busia sugar owner. "Global practice is to import raw sugar for refining before sale. To curb the alleged leakage of raw sugar into the market, the manufacturers proposed strict enforcement of the Sugar Act, 2024 and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) import requirements.