FORD Kenya Party Leader, Moses Wetang’ula on Friday called on the government to put a halt to its decision to import maize to plug an alleged deficit, saying that there was enough in the country.
Wetang’ula said that a recent announcement that importers will be allowed a two month window to bring in maize was part of a scheme by profiteering cartels to enrich themselves at the expense of the Kenyan farmer.
He was speaking at a Siaya Hotel where he met local Ford Kenya officials, led by the County Chairman, Andrew Aduda.
The FORD Kenya boss said that the country still had enough maize in the National Cereals and Produce Board stores, adding that within the two month period that the government wants traders to bring in the commodity, farmers will have harvested the current crop in the farms.
“Rains have been good and the crop is healthy. Where will farmers sell their crops?” posed the Bungoma Senator.
He urged the government to put the interest of its citizens ahead of that of the cartels and stop the importation.
“The idea of profiteering cartels whose mode of operation is greed should stop. The Jubilee government, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta must re-think the issue,” he said, adding that he co-chaired a senate committee that looked into the issue and concluded that there was enough maize.
Wetang’ula said that by the time the committee concluded its task two months ago, there was enough maize in the country hence no need of importation.
On politics, the Senator accused the Building Bridges Initiative team of taking too long to come up with a blue print on the path the country should follow to avoid perennial conflict during the electioneering periods and after.
He said it was disheartening that money was not set aside for referendum activities in the 2019/2020 budget.
This, he said, casted a dark cloud on the possibility that the process will be taken ahead of the next general elections.
Wetang’ula called on the government to ensure that the referendum takes place next year.
By Philip Onyango
