The Kenyan government announced a temporary suspension of sugar milling operations in the Upper and Lower Western regions for three months starting July 14, 2025, due to a shortage of mature sugarcane. The affected factories include Mumias, Nzoia, Butali, Busia, and West Kenya units. This decision aims to allow the sugarcane to mature and is accompanied by the introduction of a Sugar Development Levy intended to fund sector reforms. The suspension has faced criticism from sugarcane farmers, particularly in Busia County, who claim they have sufficient mature cane ready for harvesting and warn that the closure will negatively impact their incomes. In response, farmers filed a lawsuit against the Kenya Sugar Board's order to shut down the factories. On July 17, 2025, the Busia High Court suspended the closure order, allowing milling operations to resume pending the case's determination, which is scheduled for July 29, 2025. The Kenya Sugar Board CEO, Jude Chesire, highlighted efforts to revitalize the industry, including a competitive international tender in February for leasing sugar factories to qualified players. Sugarcane farming has been a commercial activity in Kenya since the 1970s but has experienced a decline in recent years.