President William Ruto has directed the Ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Treasury to begin drafting regulations for Kenya to start producing fuel products, specifically ethanol, from molasses.
This announcement was made during his tour of the Western Sugar Belt, where he addressed the challenges faced by local farmers.
The President emphasized that this initiative will enable Kenya to produce ethanol domestically, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on fuel imports. “We want to use molasses at this facility to make ethanol and co-generation,” Ruto stated.
He further explained that the directive was inspired by his previous experience as Agriculture Minister during the Grand Coalition government under former President Mwai Kibaki. “I have instructed that it should be reviewed within a stipulated time frame to develop biofuel regulations that will facilitate the use of ethanol to meet our fuel needs,” he added.
In line with this directive, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (Treasury), Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) have been given 90 days to report back to Ruto on the progress made regarding the ethanol production process.
The President also issued a stern warning to the managers of the Mumias Sugar factory and other stakeholders about any delays in this ambitious project, reiterating the government’s commitment to its realization. “I have informed them that they have 90 days to update me on how the distillery is going to operate. If it is not completed in three months, there will be accountability,” he asserted.
Ruto also indicated that once the plan is fully operational, Kenya will cease the export of molasses to prioritize its use in local ethanol production. He highlighted that the initiative is expected to create direct employment opportunities for over 1,500 youth.
Molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, contains fermentable sugars that can be converted into ethanol through fermentation and distillation processes. However, the government’s announcement has raised concerns among environmental conservationists regarding the safety of the production process, as it is linked to various health and environmental risks.
As Kenya moves forward with this initiative, the focus remains on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.
