Uasin Gishu Deputy governor Daniel Chemno has hit out at the National government for failing to pay farmers who delivered their maize to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) as promised.
The County Deputy boss said despite the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Mwangi Kiunjuri promising that Sh1 billion had been released for farmers to be paid by Monday this week, they are yet to be paid.
“I want to call upon the National government to keep their word by ensuring farmers are paid their dues before planting season begins. Surely how will farmers plant their crops without funds?” said Chemno in Eldoret town, Wednesday.
“CS Kiunjuri should intervene to ensure that farmers are paid on time and if the delays will continue Kenya will experience food shortage since few farmers will plant their crops. If you want the country to be food secure you should put farmers interests first,” he added.
Chemno further asked the national government to ensure enough fertilizers are supplied for farmers in the North Rift since it’s the country's food basket.
“If we want to alleviate poverty, farmers should be given enough fertilizers, AFC funded well and farmers who deliver their produce to NCPB be paid on time.,” he noted.