This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Published on July 24, 2019
Maize millers in North Rift and Western regions are struggling to operate due to a severe maize shortage, with some factories forced to close down.
According to Grain Belt Millers Association Chairman Kipngetich Mutai, there is no maize being held by farmers, and the available grain is too expensive, forcing many millers to shut down.
"We are facing an acute maize shortage and farmers who still have it sell at Sh4,800 per 90-kilogram bag. The government should intervene and open its NCPB stores for us to access maize at a modest price," said Mr Mutai.
Meanwhile, a lawyer based in Eldoret has written to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Inspector General (IG) of Police seeking the arrest of individuals behind the alleged withdrawal of Sh1.8 billion from the Strategic Food Reserve Fund (SFR).
Simon Lilan claimed that the withdrawal of the funds was contrary to the law and those responsible should be arrested and charged in court.
"I want the above to arrest and prosecute CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, Agriculture PS, Central Bank governor Patrick Njoroge, and all the officials that were involved in or causing the withdrawal of the said amount," he said in a letter.
The lawyer gave the DPP and the police a 7-day ultimatum to arrest the named individuals, failure to which he threatened to seek court orders to effect the same.
