Nairobi,KENYA:A section of members of parliament want the government through the cabinet secretary of the ministry of Agriculture Mwangi Kiunjuri to name people who were paid money clandestinely meant for maize farmers.
In a media briefing at parliamentary buildings, Nandi Hills mp Alfred Keter and his Moiben counterpart Silas Tiren said that Kiunjuri must expedite the process of nabbing traders who were paid close to Sh.2.5 billion.
They blasted some people who are enhancing campaigns that farmers switch from maize farming to other crops terming the move as a scheme of getting a leeway to continue importing maize from Mexico.
They warned the CS that he must take initial action against the culprits or else he resigns following the fact that farmers are experiencing plight that was occasioned by the hitch.
“We want to know the owners who were supplying maize to depots and paid immediately, Kiunjuri should tell Kenyans names of these people,”Keter said
“Farmers have waited for over a year now yet they have not been paid but traders have been paid. Kiunjuri must move with speed on this matter or else he resigns.”He added
They also urged both Agriculture Senate committee and National Assembly committee and EACC to fastrack investigation so that the names of people who were masterminded the scheme can be divulged.
Tiren indicated that Maize which has been imported from Mexico has ultimately killed the sector.
“We bring 1.3 million metric tonnes from abroad and yet we produce 70 percent of the commodity. “Tiren said
The duo also wants the government to be clear on funds which were paid to farmers amounting sh. 1.4 billion and yet only sh. 1.3 billion was paid the farmers urging the government to explain the aftermath of sh. 100 million.
Kiunjuri has been urging EACC and DCI to Fastrack the investigation on the matter in a bid to bring to book culprits who might have messed the Maize sector.
