The price of maize produce set by the Strategic Food Reserves (SFR) board and later approved by the Cabinet has continued to elicit division between the North Rift Members of Parliament and other leaders.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will purchase a 90kg bag of maize at Sh2,300.
This price is Sh900 less than the price at which the board bought the maize last year.
As a result of this, a section of MPs led by Cherangany's Joshua Kutuny and his Moiben and Nandi Hills counterparts have stood firm to reject and protest against the set price.
They have even gone further to accuse the Deputy President William Ruto of not fighting for the farmers and linked him with some maize scandals.
Replying to these allegations, DP Ruto’s allies and supporters led by Kapseret legislator Oscar Sudi termed the MPs as Jubilee rebels and that they have been 'hired' by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi to tarnish the name of Ruto.
In my opinion, DP Ruto’s supporters are the ones politicizing the maize price issue.
Farmers are suffering as the cost of production of one bag of maize may go up toSh2,500. This means that some farmers will go at a loss if they sell their maize to NCPB.
DP Ruto who hails from this North Rift region had promised the Rift Valley residents a good representation if they vote in Jubilee government. In fact, he told the Kalenjin community that they will be in the government.
What Kutuny and his team are doing is not politics. They are just fighting for the interests of farmers and reminding the DP and Jubilee government what they promised.
Maize farming is the main source of income in the Rift Valley region and low prices simply mean poor income and poverty.
This issue should not be politicized but instead, leaders should come together and fight for what farmers deserve.
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