Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has insisted that he will not resign from office amid pressure by leaders from maize growing regions.
Speaking on Sunday at Kahira-ini Church in Mathira, Nyeri County, Kiunjiri reiterated his stand on the importation of maize. He said that the government needs more maize to cater to the needs of the general population.
The CS said that calls for him to resign have no basis. At some point, he said that he has become a victim of political witchhunt and the result is resignation calls by a section of leaders from Western Kenya and Rift Valley.
Kiunjuri said that the government has plans to import more maize failure to which the population will continue to suffer because of the shortage.
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, came to his defence saying that he has been committed to ensuring that flour prices remain at an affordable level as per the wishes of President Uhuru Kenyatta as he seeks to leave behind a legacy when he completes his second and final term in government.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had said that the maize shortage was artificial. He faulted cartels for masterminding the shortage for their personal gains.
"I am convinced that something is amiss and that the country may be getting dragged into the routine of artificial, ministry-made grain shortages to allow importation by a cartel in and out of government while consumers and farmers suffer," he said.