A section of farmers in Uasin Gishu has vowed to join demonstrations called by some North Rift leaders on Monday following the continued delay in the release of money for maize supplied to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Silas Tiren (Moiben) and Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central) had threatened to organize a massive demonstration if farmers will not have been paid by Monday next week.
Led by the Uasin Gishu Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Director Kipkorir Menjo, the over 500 farmers said they fully support the calls for the demonstration.
“We support the demonstration called by our leaders 100 per cent since it will be for own good but we want to first have a meeting with them to know how it will be done and how it will handle issues of farmers delayed funds,” said Menjo in Eldoret, Thursday.
“We want to read from the same script and pull from the same direction with our leaders since we want to solve this problem once and for all,” he added.
The farmers, however, called on leaders from the region to support their agenda instead of abandoning them during their time of need.
“It sad that it is only Moiben MP who has openly spoken about us not being paid. Where other leaders? They should come out and support Tiren for our problems to be addressed,” insisted another farmer who attended the meeting held at the Teachers Advisory Centre (TAC) in Eldoret town.
They also urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene for them to be paid their dues.
During their consultative meeting, the farmers further resolved that the Ministry of Agriculture should pay all their dues and also set aside funds to buy maize from farmers during this harvesting period.
#hivisasaoriginal