Maize farmers in Nakuru are now calling on the government to pay their dues, which amount to Sh300 million in December. [Photo/Citizen]
Nakuru County Maize farmers have accused the government of delaying in paying them, even after they delivered maize to the National Cereals and Produce Board.
More than 100 farmers said the government owes them more than Sh300 million in deliveries made in December alone.
They say please to have their money have fallen on deaf ears, and are now at a loss for what to do next.
“I bought the maize here from around Christmas time, we did not celebrate, it is now a new year and we do not have even cash to pay school fees for our children, and we delivered over Sh300 million worth of maize,” said one farmer.
“The government said that they have released Sh2 billion but we have not been paid, our children are going back to school, what will we do? We plead with the government that they should urgently look into this,” added another farmer.
An official from the NCPB acknowledged that the farmers delivered the maize and that they are waiting for the government to release more funds.
“Indeed farmers have delivered maize beginning December, and to date, the government has sent us Sh49 million, which we have paid around 29,000 bags, yet we received around 70,000 bags,” he said.
He further urged the farmers to continue delivering, promising that the government will eventually pay them.