The sugar industry is crucial to the regional economy of Western Kenya. The livelihoods of many poor out-growers depend upon it. This is the story of how SUCAM, a ‘campaign of ideas’ became a hugely influential presence in Kenya and a force for reform in of sugar industry. SUCAM’s achievements were immense, but it was a campaign of ideas driven by a handful of visionaries amongst which a skilled activist from ActionAid Kenya. SUCAM had a mandate from, but no solid base in farmers, and was limited to governance reform rather than a rights-based analysis of the sugar sector and its global prospects. The industry definitely changed as a result of SUCAM. For example, farmers were paid for the first time in many months. But was there broader social change? The Story of Change process brought the key players together to reflect on what had happened and why and what needed to be done.