Details have emerged on how eight influential businessmen pocketed a whopping Sh1.9 billion from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

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In another scandal that shows how connected business elements have turned government entities into a cash cow, the business people filled NCPB depots with maize from Uganda as the board rejected the same from local farmers.

 According to sources, the eight would rush to Uganda where they bought millions of maize bags at Sh2000 averagely and sold them to the government entity at Sh3200.

As all this happened, Kenyan farmers were turned away every time they took their maize to NCPB.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe said five top bosses at NCPB are among 59 staff suspended after suspicion they were architects of the deal.

“The 59 staff who were working in the critical facilities where malpractices were reported be investigated and those found culpable be dealt with as per the human resource management procedures of this State corporation and in accordance with our laws where applicable,” the PS said.

Interestingly, the eight beneficiaries of the billions remain anonymous.