ODM leader Raila Odinga has once again lashed out at Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri over plans to import maize.
This comes barely a week after Raila accused Kiunjuri's ministry of working in cohorts with cartels, claiming that the said maize shortage is just an excuse to import maize.
Speaking at his Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County on Friday, Raila noted that Kiunjuri is yet to prove the need for extra maize, terming the plan fraudulent.
He said that the importation will be a disadvantage to local farmers who are expecting to sell their maize to the state, as it will lock out their produce.
“We don't want our farmers to suffer because of maize imports by some goons. We know who they are and how they litter our markets,” he said.
He termed Kiunjuri's shortage claims as deliberate and being created by thugs out to make a killing by bringing in maize at the expense of local farmers.
"Our farmers grow enough maize. We don't want thugs to lie to us that there is a shortage," added the former Prime Minister.
Kiunjuri has equally been under criticism from leaders from maize-growing regions who have argued that there is enough maize lying in farmers' stores.
They have urged the ministry to exhaust it first before buying more from outside.