- Reuben Kigame observed that the government should have used the importation money to uplift Kenyan farmers
- The gospel musician-turned-politician indicated the country was suffering the consequence of electing the current administration
- Kigame’s sentiments came following reports that 10,000 tonnes of maize imports had docked at the port of Mombasa
Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame is the latest leader criticising Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.
The CS has been in the headlines since announcing the government’s plans to import duty-free Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) maize.
In a statement on Facebook, the televangelist questioned why the government was not pumping the money used in importation on farmers.
“Shouldn’t we be funding the farmers in Northrift to do more? The importation money should be pumped into our farmers’ growing for the next season, meanwhile buy all they have got,” he said.
Kigame further stated that importing maize while farmers were harvesting maize in the North Rift region was absurd, adding that it was a consequence of electing the government.
“This is happening when the Northrift is harvesting maize! The government you wanted.” Kigame said.
Ship with maize
A ship carrying 10,000 tonnes of the produce docked at the port of Mombasa today, Tuesday, November 22, dealing a big blow to maize farmers in the North Rift, currently harvesting their produce.
Business Daily reported the consignment is on board the African Merlin vessel and comes even before Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria legally gazettes imports of duty-free maize.
The CS said private sector investors would be given permits to import the commodity to curb the shortage of maize.
Kigame asks gov’t to buy maize from north rift farmers
Earlier, Kigame urged the government to buy maize harvests from farmers in the North Rift region to remedy the ongoing famine and drought situation.
Kigame observed that it was the best time for the government to buy maize from the farmers who were just from harvesting season.
According to the gospel artiste-turned-politician, the government does not need to import maize while farmers have it, adding that Kenya’s problem is distribution.
“This is the best time for the government to buy all the maize harvested recently by farmers from North Rift. Instead of importing maize, let them buy these and anything that is food because our problem is not lack of food but distribution,” said the evangelist.
