- On Tuesday, November 22, Moses Kuria came under sharp criticism over the importation of duty-free maize into the country
- A group of leaders from maize-growing regions took issue with Kuria’s order even though there was no Cabinet approval
- Samson Cherargei reiterated that there was a deliberate move to continue killing the maize farming in the country
Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria is a man under siege.
On Tuesday, November 22, Kuria came under sharp criticism over the importation of duty-free maize into the country.
A group of leaders from maize-growing regions of North Rift and western Kenya took issue with Kuria’s order even though there was no Cabinet approval.
“We are aware that there are plans by the Ministry of Trade to import the consignment, yet this is the season of maize harvesting in major parts of the country. It has never happened before that maize is imported into the country during harvest season, yet we understand that local maize production is always our first remedy,” said Nandi senator Samson Cherargei.
Ships start arriving in Mombasa
Cherargei, while issuing a press statement on behalf of the MPs at the parliament building, sought to know why ships were already arriving at the Mombasa port without the legal procedures.
He also revealed a motion by Abraham Kirwa (Mosop), David Pkosing (Pokot South) and Kakai Bissau (Kiminini).
“We are aware that there was no Cabinet approval in the importation of duty-free maize into the country. This will undermine the intention of guaranteeing minimum returns to farmers, which Kuria championed,” Cherargei added.
Bumper harvest in maize-growing regions
He observed that the bumper harvest of maize this season is projected to be 42 million bags despite the high costs of farm inputs.
“For example, at the start of this year’s planting season, we bought a 50kg bag of fertilizer at KSh 7,000. High cost of fuel, ploughing. We request that the cost of fertilizer of KSh 7,000 should march the price of KSh 7,000 per bag of maize,” said the vocal senator.
Cherargei reiterated that there was a deliberate move to continue killing the maize farming in the country.
“As was seen in the previous regime, where even the sugar sector and other farming sectors were killed,” said the second-term senator.
Wrong timing for the imports
The press briefing came moments after Cherargei voiced his objection against the government’s move to allow maize importation of duty-free maize.
In a tweet, the senator said the timing was wrong as most Rift Vamaizefarmers were harvesting maize.
He said the farmers would be disadvantaged if the importation of maize were allowed to go on.
“The importation of duty-free maize is unfair to us maize farmers because of its wrong timing. In the Rift Valley, we are currently harvesting maize, which shall lower the prices of maize,” he said on Monday, November 21.
The senator vowed to mobilise MPs from maize-growing areas to deliberate on the way forward.
