Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to consider paying farmers who have been vetted and confirmed to be genuine.
This is even as investigations into the Sh1.5 billion maize scandal continues.
Speaking in Eldoret town on Sunday, Mandago said it was unfair for the government to continue withholding pay for all farmers yet only a few are being investigated.
“You can’t punish those who are innocent because of a few individuals. Farmers who have been vetted and are genuine should get their pay. If they have an issue with verification, they can ask us (counties) to verify the list,” he said.
Payment of over Sh3.5 billion for maize supplied by farmers since December last year has been withheld following an ongoing probe into the maize scan in which its suspected traders supplied maize to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and were paid promptly at the expense of genuine farmers.
And in a bid to address the farmers pay issue in future, Mandago proposed to the ministry of Agriculture to buy green maize from farmers and use in silage making.
This follows government’s plans to construct 50 feedlots in arid and semi-arid areas for the fattening of beef cattle.
"The ministry should come to the farm and buy green maize, do silage and prepare for the feedlots. 'Si lazima tule ugali (it is not a must that we eat ugali), we can sell green maize and do away with this issue of brokers always importing maize and taking advantage of genuine farmers as they won't be able to import green maize," said the Jubilee governor.
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