This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
Ruto's Maize Empire: Rift Valley MPs Expose DP's Congo Deal ¶
Deputy President William Ruto's maize empire has been exposed by Rift Valley MPs, who claim he owns a 500,000-acre maize farm in the Republic of Congo.
According to the MPs, Ruto's maize farm in Congo is the reason behind his alleged discouragement of maize farming in Kenya, with the aim of creating a maize shortage and positioning himself as the principal maize supplier to the scandal-ridden National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
Joshua Kutuny, Cherangany MP, Alfred Keter of Nandi Hill, and Silas Tiren of Moiben made the allegations in a statement, claiming that Ruto has been encouraging farmers to substitute maize farming with avocado and macadamia.
“You can’t be telling us to plant avocados, plant macadamia but you are not telling us what happened to maize…Now you have gone even to Congo. You are growing 500,000 acres of maize,” Keter told a local press.
The MPs have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to investigate Ruto over the maize scandal, which they claim has had many accomplices, including Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe and top NCPB officials who are currently facing charges of fraud in the payment of traders instead of genuine farmers.
On Ruto's defense, there is no law that bars anyone or any leader from farming outside the country and importing the produce to Kenya.
However, the MPs have rubbished DP's early 2022 campaigns, saying that Ruto stands no chance to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Farmers, you must know this: most of our problems involving maize and fertilizer have been brought about the Deputy President and his office. We want his office investigated,” Keter said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has on various occasions, fired warnings at Kiunjuri over the massive irregular payments made to maize cartels through NCPB.
“I promise you, Kiunjuri, and I swear before God, try that again and you’ll see what will happen to you. Sisi hatutaki mchezo tena,” President Kenyatta ranted during the Nairobi International Trade Fair that was held on 4th September last year.
