This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
Published on November 18, 2019, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is facing intense scrutiny over its poor grain storage practices, which have led to aflatoxin contamination.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has conducted investigations, revealing that the country is at risk of losing grain worth Sh7.6 billion due to contamination arising from poor storage conditions at NCPB silos.
As the main buyer and stockist of grains, NCPB bought over six million bags of maize from farmers last year for storage and eventual sale to traders.
However, with NCPB's poor storage facilities, millions of bags bought with public money have been adulterated, making them unfit for consumption.
The government has lost billions of taxpayers' shillings through sheer negligence by the cereals board, which is unacceptable, especially during a time of dire financial constraints.
With the country facing a constrained grain market, there is a risk of grain shortage in the coming months, leading to soaring prices and food insecurity.
It is imperative that NCPB takes drastic action to address the crisis, including destroying contaminated maize, improving quality, and holding officials responsible for grain contamination accountable.
