Political leaders from maize growing areas had last week asked the government to suspend the importation of duty-free maize until their harvests have been cleared.
Led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, the lawmakers said it was wrong for the government to source Genetically Modified maize from outside when the country has enough natural grain.
Cherargei, who is allied to President William Ruto’s UDA party said farmers from the maize-growing parts of the Rift Valley are anticipating a bumper harvest, hence importation of the maize will flood local markets at their expense.
“For farmers in the North Rift and most parts of Kenya where we plant maize, this is the harvest season and we thought it wise that the Ministry of Trade should hold on importation of maize until we harvest ours and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) opens the stores for farmers to deliver their produce,” Cherargei said in a Tweet.
But in a statement on Monday, November 21, Trade, Investment and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria maintained that the Kenya Kwanza government will not buy maize from Kenyan farmers.
In a statement, Kuria argued that sourcing maize from Kenyan farmers will not bring down the cost of Unga as promised by President William Ruto during his August 9, presidential campaign.
The former Gatundu South Member of Parliament accused local farmers of hoarding the grain so that they can sell it to the government at exorbitant prices.
“The government of Kenya will not buy maize directly or indirectly other than for strategic reserve,
“It is estimated that farmers are sitting on 20 million bags of Maize. Let them release it to the Millers. You can call me if no Miller is buying your maize,” CS Moses Kuria said in a Tweet.
