I allude to, and paraphrase John Nash's work on Game Theory -

Overall success in a game where players are intelligent and rational decision-makers working towards a common objective, does not come while each is pursuing their own individual interests only but when each player is pursing the group's interest in addition to their individual interests.

Key assumption being the intelligence and rationality of the players.

Opening up this market (not only the sugar market)is good under the afore mentioned assumption.

Nationalism and protectionism has not brought much benefit in history, I assume you all know that these were the root causes of the two world wars we've had.

Opportunities are abound for Kenya and Uganda. While efficiencies are great, they do come with some pain. If Kenyan sugar players can bear though the short-term pain and be creative, we will all benefit.

Kenya's biggest pit fall is that we don't like change. We fear the pain of change. We like doing the same things the same way over and over again. We rarely do value addition. This is the time to be different. To think different.

IBMs motto - THINK
Apple's motto - Think different

We all know the history behind these companies.

Well put !!!!

Even though MSC is shut when you go to the supermraket do you find their sugar lying around. Meaning the last batch was bought out even though cheaper sugar was still available in the shops. For sure the shops did not return back to MSC the last batched supplied.

Everyone says Ban Ban.

Let me ask why do Kenyan athletes dominate the races in the world.

Answer because the practise and become better than the competition.

Same with our competition or DIE.

If you dont it does not matter who is protecting you, you will surely die

Thank you all for the detailed input. This has been an important learning for me. My takeaways from this:

1. It is not about the farmers, they are just a convenient handle on which to hang political and other grievances. After all Kenya has a Sugar shortfall and we have to buy it from somewhere, donge? Why not Uganda? Oh, because Ugandans have no sugar to sell, they will simply repack Brazilian sugar and sell it to us. So? Good for them. We just need sugar right? Or am I missing something here?

2. It is time our politicians stepped up to the plate. What Kenya needs now is leaders who get things done, not just hecklers who specialize in spewing hot air. Thinking is not optional.

When coffee seemed unviable in many areas,the owners were quick to uproot and turn to real estate,the problem is not sugar but leadership retrogressiveness ,pple who never think beyond their nose.

I think someone shot himself in the foot.

http://nairobinews.co.ke...ppose-uganda-sugar-deal/

@Hamaina,

I will reiterate that Uganda, alongside all other African countries with the exception of Mauritius and to a small extent,Malawi, is a net importer. The thing that stabilizes and therefore makes them look like they have surplus is, weather (Good weather) and a low per capita sugar intake of 9kgs. On a bad year, like in 2011/2012 ,they were so hard hit that the price of sugar in Kampala rose to equivalent of Kshs 320 per Kg. What resulted was massive uncontrolled importation and since their taxation regime is much lower than ours,some of that sugar found it's way back into Kenya (or never left Kenya). Wouldn't opening up help in anticipating shortage and therefore cushioning the region from within? Maybe i am missing something.

When you say kenya will be getting CHEAP SUGAR from Uganda ,then what will happen to the market demand reaction to expensive sugar produced by local sugar miller's since the cost of production is high resulting to expensive sugar??
Of course people will go for cheap sugar and that's when THE FINAL NAIL OF CRUCIFIXION OF LOCAL MILLER'S WILL HAPPEN . I feel bad for people in mumias bus

Well, what's wrong with that?
Weather - Countries with favorable weather for specific crops is what those countries produce those crops. Brazil and coffee. Kenya and tea. Canada and wheat.
Consumption per capita - That's not a bad thing. It's a personal choice. I try to limit my consumption of sugar for health reasons regardless of the price [I don't consume more when prices are lower] or production per capita.

Thanks jaduong & all for the wonderful insights into this industry. Enyewe politics & greed is our impediment to development!!!