Leaders from the North Rift have asked the government to put in place plans to resume buying of maize from farmers in the region after the exercise was discarded by the previous administration.

In a raft of demands issued to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his tour of the region, lawmakers Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Jackson Mandago (Uasin-Gishu) and MPs Julius Ruto (Kesses), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Janet Sitienei (Turbo) and Phyllis Bartoo of Moiben called on the government to ensure timely distribution of subsidised fertiliser before the onset of the planting season in January. The leaders also called on the government to further adjust prices of subsidised fertiliser from the Sh3,500 per 50kg bag ordered by the government to Sh1,500 for farming to be a viable venture.

According to Senator Mandago, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has no capacity to distribute the fertiliser to farmers and has suggested that the exercise be spearheaded by the county government. 

Sitienei lauded the lift on ban on Genetically Mortified Organisms (GMOs) which she noted will help boost food security in the country.

Gachagua, who attended a thanksgiving service at Koilel in Ainabkoi constituency wondered why the subsidy programme was scrapped by the previous regime which resulted in the skyrocketing of food prices. He reiterated the state’s commitment to improve the welfare of farmers.