Kenya Secures Historic Win As Jude Chesire Elected ISO Council Chairman

By Moses Punyuah, Nairobi Kenya.

Kenya has achieved a major milestone after Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire was unanimously elected Chairman of the Council of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) for 2026. His election makes him the first Kenyan and the first African to lead the London-based global sugar body.

Chesire will take over from Edgar Herrera of Costa Rica. His rise comes at a time when Kenya’s sugar reforms are drawing global recognition under the leadership of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe.

Recent reforms in the sector include the leasing of the four state-owned mills, Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil and Nzoia, to private operators, the establishment of 47,123 hectares of new cane, and a 76 per cent rise in sugar production after years of decline. The reforms have also increased cane prices from KSh 4,350 to KSh 5,750 per tonne, improving farmer earnings and supporting more than 250,000 jobs.

As ISO Chairman, Chesire will guide the recruitment of a new Executive Director, steer a comprehensive review of the ISO Constitution and lead global sugar policy discussions on pricing, market access, sustainability, bioethanol and carbon credits. He will serve alongside Vice Chairman Ambassador Ali Touré of Ivory Coast.

Kenya is expected to leverage Chesire’s position to secure better global market terms, attract investment in sugar processing and value addition, and advance its goal of achieving sugar self-sufficiency by 2027.