Renowned Eldoret-based tycoon and businessman Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich alias Buzeki has finally broken his silence on the maize price issue that has been a major subject among farmers lately.
Buzeki has now joined farmers in their fight against the low maize price set by the Strategic Grain Reserves (SFR) board and later approved by the Cabinet thus becoming the standard price for this year's maize.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will purchase a bag of maize at Sh2,300 instead of last year's Sh3,200.
Farmers and local leaders have rejected this price stating that it is too low.
Buzeki who unsuccessfully vied for the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat is currently a close ally to Deputy President William Ruto whom some politicians are accusing him of neglecting the farmers and branding him one of the cartels in the maize scandals.
The tycoon took to his verified Twitter account to urge the government to heed to farmers plight and buy their products at a profitable price.
He reminded the government that GMOs products which are usually imported into the country cost much more than what is produced by the farmers.
"It is no loss to anyone if the government buys farm produce at a profitable price to farmers, imported farm produce is GMO and costs more by the time it gets to our dinner tables. Farmers have a right to demand better prices for maize, tea, coffee and sugarcane. We are 80% rural!" tweeted Buzeki.
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