Raymond faults State over problems facing maize farmers

Rongai MP Raymond Moi addresses the press at St Francis of Assisi Kimoning Church in Uasin Gishu County yesterday. Moi who was accompanied by Moiben MP Sila Tiren (left). [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

Rongai MP Raymond Moi has joined the foray in faulting the State for neglecting maize farmers in the country.

The MP said the recent maize producer prices announced by Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) board at Sh2,300 for a 90kg was too low and should be reviewed.

He said farmers have continued to suffer at the expense of the leadership they overwhelmingly voted in last year’s polls.

“I'm nonpartisan in this issue. I'm in Kanu and your leaders are from Jubilee, you voted for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy 100 per cent but at the moment, you are suffering because when it comes to service delivery farmes are suffering,” said Moi who spoke at St Francis Kimoning Catholic Church in Moiben Constituency during the opening of the church yesterday.

He said the prices should be increased to Sh3,600, adding that farmers continue to incur huge losses due to failure by the State to ensure that the cost of production can enable farmers gain better returns after harvesting.

“Why has the State not bought your maize at considerable prices like the way it normally gives preference to grains imported from Mexico by buying them at Sh 3,600? Is it not clear that farmers are suffering? Why is it hard for Government to provide services to farmers?” he posed.

The legislator challenged Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri who is expected to make a visit to Eldoret National Cereals and Produce Board stores on Monday to  act  on  cartels that have tainted the image of the once lucrative sector.

"Someone has to say the buck stops here. Kiunjuri is busy talking about cartels, why have we not seen action taken on them? It is purely a cat-and-mouse game," he  said.


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