Kenya Farmers Association director Kipkorir Arap Menjo addressing the press in Eldoret town on Wednesday, January 10, 2017 [Photo: Elvanis Ronoh].
Kenya Farmers Association director Kipkorir Arap Menjo has condemned the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for failing to pay farmers who have delivered their maize produce.
He said the government has been playing cuts and mouse games by releasing the amount in beats which is just a drop in the ocean.
“The money that NCPB released last week was to pay farmers who delivered their maize from 5th to 8th of December only and yet the majority of farmers delivered their maize mid-December to the end of last year to their children’s fees.When will they be paid?’ he said in Eldoret town, Wednesday.
“Despite empty promises nothing has been done.Why is the government frustrating farmers through delayed payments and at the same time promising special attention to agriculture? Good intentions are not enough if not backed by concrete actions. We read malice in these delays,” he added.
However, according to according to (NCPB) spokesman Titus Maiyo, the government has released another sh 500 million this week to pay farmers who have delivered their maize.
“We want to apologize for not paying farmers on time but we assure them they will be paid once the funds are availed to us by the Treasury,” he said.