About 2.7 million bags of maize have been stocked by the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) from farmers marking it as the highest in one season.
According to Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe bought the maize after the government released Sh6 billion the cereal board bought 2.3 million.
However, the farmers in the grain basket of the country have protested over delays in paying them for maize delivered at NCPB depots.
“NCPB has so far purchased over 2.7 million 90 kilogramme bags from farmers, which is the highest that it has ever bought in a single season,” he said.
NCPB managing director Newton Terer last week said that the government owes farmers Sh3 billion.
The permanent secretary has defended the state saying that the ministry is not aware of the government owing farmers money.
Millers, however, pay about Sh3,000 for the same amount while middlemen offer framers as low as Sh2,000.
This move is aimed by the he government to replenish the food reserve with the grain which is required to have a minimum of three million bags at any given time.