This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On November 11, 2019, the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee began investigating the Ministry of Agriculture over the alleged misuse of Sh4.5 billion meant for maize imports in 2017.
Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga appeared before the committee but failed to provide relevant documents explaining how the funds were used.
According to Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, the Sh4.5 billion was part of the Sh11.67 billion the government spent on maize imports in 2017 to stabilize maize flour prices.
At the time, a 2kg packet of maize flour cost Sh125 in supermarkets and retail outlets across the country.
The committee was informed that five companies were involved in the importation of maize, which the government bought at Sh3,600 per 90kg bag.
The firms involved were Export Trading Company, Hydery P Limited, Kitui Mills Limited, Mombasa Maize Millers, and Pembe Flour Mills.
Documents presented before the committee showed that Export Trading Company pocketed Sh3.5 million, Hydery P Limited received Sh3.1 billion, and Kitui Mills Limited was paid Sh400 million.
Mombasa Maize Millers received Sh609 million, and Pembe Flour Mills was paid Sh400 million for alleged deliveries of imported maize.
Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga admitted that the ministry could only account for vouchers worth Sh2.49 billion, leaving the remaining expenditure unsupported by documents.
He suggested that the government could have handled the imports differently by allowing importers to bring in maize and mill it, with the government providing duty remission.
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi expressed concern that the country may have imported 'air' and paid billions of shillings, stating that without documents, the committee could not confirm the country imported maize.
