Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Council of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) for 2026 on Friday, November 26, 2025.

He becomes the first Kenyan and the first African ever to hold the position.

ISO, headquartered in London and affiliated with the World Trade Organization (WTO), is the world's leading sugar governance body.

Chesire takes over from Edgar Herrera of Costa Rica at a time when Africa is positioning itself as a major sugar producer and exporter.

His election comes alongside Ivory Coast's Ambassador Ali Touré, who was unanimously elected Vice Chairman, marking the strongest African representation in ISO history.

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Under Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, the leasing of four state-owned mills, Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Nzoia, to private operators was overseen.

Under his leadership, sugar production jumped by 76%. The sector now supports 250,000 direct jobs and nearly 6 million livelihoods.

He also oversaw the rise in cane prices from KES 4,350 to KES 5,750 per tonne, and the establishment of 47,123 hectares of new cane.

As Chairman, Chesire will recruit a new Executive Director to replace Jose Orive of Guatemala, whose 13-year tenure ends in December 2026.

He will also steer the rewrite of the ISO Constitution and shape global sugar trade policy.