This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
Published on July 12, 2019, a State agency under the Ministry of Agriculture has alleged that maize cartels are behind the government's decision to allow the importation of maize into the country.
The Strategic Food Reserve Trustee Fund chairperson Noah Wekesa dismissed claims of maize shortage in the country, saying it was 'artificial' and exaggerated to justify plans by cartels to import the grain.
Wekesa questioned the purpose of importing the maize, which he said was beyond the country's demand considering the harvest was due in two months' time.
He explained that the country only consumes 1.5 million bags per month and that there are more than 760,000 bags at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and another two million bags bought by the agency, bringing the total to about 2.8 million bags yet to be sold to millers.
Wekesa also said that he had credible information that farmers are still hoarding unconfirmed tonnage of maize that the government can purchase to increase its stock at the NCPB and avert the need for overseas importation.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture's Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri responded by saying that Wekesa's statement was reckless and amounts to insubordination.
Kiunjuri said that Wekesa has been issuing statements that are contradicting the ministry while he is aware that the only custodian of food situation in the country is his docket.
He added that any other body that would like to issue a statement on maize imports cannot do that because the ministry has the final say.
Leaders from maize-growing regions, including Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, and Moiben MP Silas Tiren, also expressed concerns over the importation of maize, saying it was a scheme by individuals to make money through importation to the detriment of cereal farmers.
