The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has interrogated six National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) officials from the North Rift region over the Sh2 billion maize scandal.
EACC deputy director in charge of North Rift Jackson Mue, on Tuesday, said 70 percent of the Sh2 billion lost was transacted in the six depots.
The targeted NCPB depots are Eldoret, Moi’s Bridge, Kitale, Bungoma, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
He also confirmed the scandal involves several individuals who delivered the cheaply imported maize to NCPB depots at night and received prompt payment.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has admitted that some powerful individuals were behind the maize scam.
Leaders from the North Rift region have demanded an independent audit to determine the quantity of maize delivered to the depots.
Led by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his Moiben counterpart Sila Tiren, they said the audit will expose individuals behind the maize mess.
Several tonnes of the crop has been attacked by pests and molds due to lack of proper storage facilities as farmers struggle to find a market for the produce.
Farmers are demanding about Sh4 billion for maize deliveries to the board.
It also emerged that some farmers have opted to sell their produce to animals feed manufacturers as maize and wheat prices depreciate due to an oversupply of produce that has outstripped demand.
“Governors and County officials understand farmers in their jurisdiction and need to be given an upper hand on the management of NCPB for delivery of quality services,” said Kipkorir Menjo, Kenya Farmers Association director during a farmers meeting in Eldoret.
North Rift leaders have claimed that all the 21 people mentioned as having supplied maize to NCPB were genuine farmers who are well known but were being used as sacrificial lambs to protect cartels in the maize sector.