Recent maize prices announced by the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) continues to receive opposition from leaders in maize growing areas.

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A section of elected leaders in Uasin Gishu county now says they are disappointed in the prices set.

SFR last week announced that a 90-kilogram bag of maize will be bought from farmers at Sh2,300 this season. 

"Sh2,300 per bag is a clear loss to farmers. This means we shall continue being poor as we feed Kenyans," Josphat Lowoi, the Uasin Gishu County Assembly leader of majority said during an interview on Citizen TV, Tuesday.

Similar sentiments were shared by the Assembly's Speaker David Kiplagat who said the cost of producing one bag of maize currently stands at SH2,200.

Kiplagat said the worst the government should buy maize from farmers this season should be Sh2,500 per 90-kilogram bag. 

"We are being told that they used science to set maize prices last year. They should still use the same science again this year," he noted pointing out that if the recently announced price remains, a farmer will be making a paltry Sh100 profit in a single bag.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri told journalists in Eldoret town on Monday that he had set up a thematic group to relook at the maize prices before a final decision on the prices will be made.

"The group is already looking at the issue and we expect their report by Wednesday so that we make a final decision on how much per bag the maize will be bought," said Kiunjuri who had visited the Eldoret National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot.

Last season, the government had set maize prices at Sh3,200.

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