This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
Published on November 26, 2019, the Uasin Gishu County government has taken a bold step to protect the health of its residents by banning the drying of maize in open spaces.
The decision was made by the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for agriculture, Samuel Yego, who noted that the open drying of maize exposes grains to the risk of pathogenic contamination due to the high humid and warm conditions that are conducive for aflatoxin effects.
Yego urged the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to open their stores and assist farmers who would like to dry produce to recommended moisture contents.
According to Yego, the ban applies to all areas within urban centers, including outside the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, where drying of maize in the open has been a common practice.
The move is seen as a proactive measure to prevent the spread of aflatoxin, a toxic substance that can cause serious health problems if ingested.
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