Ruto Orders Action on Local Ethanol Production to Cut Fuel Imports

President William Ruto has directed the ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Treasury to immediately begin drafting regulations that will see Kenya start producing fuel products such as ethanol from molasses.

Speaking during a tour of the Western Sugar Belt to address the plight of farmers, the Head of State revealed that he had already issued the directive, which will enable Kenya to produce ethanol locally to supplement the country’s fuel products.

According to Ruto, if the directive is implemented, Kenya will save on its fuel imports, particularly ethanol.

“We want to use molasses at this facility here to make ethanol and co-generation,” Ruto announced.

”I have instructed that it should be reviewed within a stipulated time frame in the context of where we are so that we have biofuel regulations that are going to facilitate the use of ethanol to supplement our fuel needs as a country,” he asserted. 

Additionally, the Head of State revealed that the directive stemmed from his time when he was serving as the Agriculture Minister in the Grand Coalition government of the then-President Mwai Kibaki.

Consequently, CSs John Mbadi (Treasury), Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) now have 90 days to inform Ruto of the next steps they will have taken towards the realisation of the production process.

Ruto also issued a warning to managers of the Mumias Sugar factory and other stakeholders regarding delays to the ambitious project.

He took the opportunity to reassure Kenyans of the government’s commitment to realising the process, emphasising that those who hinder its progress will be held accountable.

“I have had a meeting with the concerned parties and informed them that they have 90 days to update me on how the distillery is going to operate,” Ruto stated.

“Give me three months to conclude that; if it has not been completed, there will be people who will have to be held accountable,” he added.

According to the Head of State, Kenya will halt the exportation of molasses to its trading partners to prioritise its use in ethanol production once the plan is fully realised.

Additionally, over 1,500 youth will benefit from direct employment opportunities arising from the project, according to Ruto.

Molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, contains fermentable sugars that can be converted into ethanol through a process involving fermentation and distillation.

However, the government’s announcement is expected to raise concerns among environmental conservationists regarding the safety of the production process, as it is associated with various health and environmental risks.