Nairobi County Assembly. Nine MCAs are in court to block City Hall from
borrowing Sh4 billion from banks to stave off a cash crunch, arguing
that details of the debt have not been provided. PHOTO | FILE
By PHILIP BWAYO, pbwayo@ke.nationmedia.com
The Trans Nzoia County Assembly has introduced a
motion which seeks to compel the county government to buy maize from
farmers at not less than Sh2,500 per 90 kilogramme bag.
The motion, brought to the assembly by Endebess MCA Patrick
Kisiero, has been triggered by failure of the government to start buying
this season’s maize from farmers through the National Cereals and
Produce Board (NCPB).
Majority leader Alfred Weswa urged the House to compel the executive to seek financial aid and buy the produce from farmers.
“We must shift our focus from relying on NCPB and
instead empower our farmers to form co-operatives then help them look
for market,” said Mr Weswa.
Maize farmers have been left at the mercy of
middlemen after the government said it would delay setting prices and
buying the grain on fears that the move could benefit brokers.
Agriculture secretary Felix Koskei said recently
that NCPB will start buying maize after a vetting exercise meant to
identify genuine farmers from brokers even as prices in the grain basket
of the North Rift continue to fall.
NCPB was allocated Sh2.7 billion to buy maize this
year and its presence in the market helps to regulate prices of the
grain. The price is now controlled by brokers.
Maize harvesting in the North Rift started last
month and traders reckon that the price, which has dropped from Sh3,200
per 90 kilogramme bag in May to Sh1,300, could fall further barring the
entry of NCPB into the market.
Create a fund
Nominated MCA Naomi Okul challenged the county
government to set up its own agricultural board which will be charged
with the responsibility of buying maize from farmers.
“We can create a fund that will enable us to have our own strategic grains reserves which we can re-sell later,” said Mrs Okul.
Nominated MCA Teresia Masibo said the executive
should come up with a solution since some farmers’ maize was rotting due
to poor storage.
“This motion is okay but its intention has been
overtaken by events since maize farmers are suffering with middlemen
offering only Sh1,400 per bag,’’ said Ms Masibo.
Kwanza MCA John Likobele accused the county government of failure to establish stores for farmers’ produce.
“The executive is letting down this House because
we passed a law to establish stores yet none has been built. Where did
the money go to?” she asked.
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