Kenya’s Jude Chesire has made history, becoming the first African to be elected Chairman of the Council of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) for 2026. His unanimous election marks a significant diplomatic victory for Kenya and the continent.

This appointment places a Kenyan at the helm of the world's premier sugar governance body, influencing global trade, sustainability, and pricing policies. For the Kenyan farmer, this translates into a powerful new voice in a market that directly impacts their livelihood and the nation's economic stability.

Chesire, the current CEO of the Kenya Sugar Board, will take over from Edgar Herrera of Costa Rica. His election is widely seen as international recognition of Kenya's sweeping sugar sector reforms, which he has been instrumental in steering under Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

Revitalizing Kenya's Sugar Belt

The timing of Chesire's ascent is critical. It comes as Kenya undertakes ambitious reforms aimed at reviving its struggling sugar industry, a key pillar of the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). This agenda prioritizes strengthening agricultural value chains to boost farmer incomes and ensure food security.

A cornerstone of these reforms has been the leasing of four state-owned mills—Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Nzoia—to private operators to unlock investment and efficiency after years of mismanagement. This move, coupled with government efforts to clear billions in arrears owed to farmers, aims to restore dignity and profitability to the sector.

Under these reforms, the industry has already seen a dramatic turnaround, according to government reports. Key achievements include:

• A 76% surge in sugar production after nearly two decades of decline.
• An increase in cane prices from KES 4,350 to KES 5,750 per tonne.
• The establishment of 47,123 hectares of new cane, boosting raw material supply.
• Support for a sector that provides livelihoods for nearly six million Kenyans.

A Seat at the Global Table

As ISO Chairman, Chesire's responsibilities will be substantial. He will preside over the rewriting of the ISO constitution and oversee the recruitment of a new Executive Director to replace Guatemala's Jose Orive, whose 13-year tenure ends in December 2026. This gives Kenya direct influence over the administrative and strategic direction of the 87-member state organization.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe noted the strategic advantage of this position. “Kenya will now sit at the very centre of global sugar governance. This gives us a voice in shaping policy on trade, sustainability, pricing, and innovation,” Kagwe stated. “It is an opportunity we intend to use to benefit our farmers and strengthen our industry.”

His leadership is expected to help secure better global market terms, attract investment into value-addition like bioethanol production, and strengthen Africa's voice in commodity markets. AFA Director Samuel Ongou remarked that the role will help in “leveraging Kenya's position in the global sugar realignment.”

Chesire's chairmanship is a validation of Kenya's agricultural reforms. As the country pushes towards sugar self-sufficiency by 2027, having one of its own leading the global conversation is not just a point of pride—it is a strategic asset for every sugarcane farmer from Awendo to Nzoia.