Lugari MP Ayub Savala and West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo demanded the price be set at 3,200 shillings to help cushion farmers from a lot expense incurred during the planting and production stage/file
Ruto has however asked farmers to take their farm produce to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to be purchased.
The new price announced on Sunday by the Deputy President is Sh600 more than what Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei had announced earlier this week,leading to MPs from maize growing areas to demand for his resignation.
Lugari MP Ayub Savala and West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo demanded the price be set at Sh3,200 which will cushion farmers from a lot expense incurred during the planting and production stage.
“The Agriculture CS has failed completely in his duties and just like (former Interior CS Joseph) Ole Lenku, Koskei should shoulder his burden and resign to save the agriculture sector,” Savula said.
“He has no interest of farmers at heart and the President should sack him if he does not resign,” Senator Lonyangapuo added. “He is a procurement specialist out to kill our economy while profiting farmers from neighbouring countries.”
Ruto has however asked farmers to take their farm produce to the National Cereals and Produce Board depots to be purchased.
The board has depots and maize buying centres in Turbo, Mois-Bridge, Kipkaren, Ziwa in Uasin Gishu and Kitale in Trans Nzoia County.
Hundreds of farmers in Uasin Gishu on Wednesday demonstrated, asking the government to buy maize at Sh3,500 per bag.
Five governors from the North Rift are expected in Nairobi this week for talks on maize prices with the Agriculture CS.
The governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Cleophas Lagat (Nandi) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) are expected to deliberate on the reopening of the region’s National Cereals and Produce Board.
Meanwhile, the Deputy President who was speaking during a Sunday Service at the Ziwa African Inland Church (AIC) in Uasin-Gishu County, also announced that prices for fertilizers have been reduced from current Sh2,000 to Sh1,800 assuring farmers that the Government was committed to reducing the cost of production.
NCPB has depots and maize buying centres in Turbo, Mois-Bridge, Kipkaren, Ziwa in Uasin Gishu and Kitale in Trans Nzoia County.
Hundreds of farmers in Uasin Gishu on Wednesday demonstrated, asking the government to buy maize at Sh3,500 per 90 kilogramme bag.
