.jpg)
Nandi Senator Samsom Cherargei has opposed the suggestion of importing duty-free maize.
The legislator said the idea will be unfair to maize farmers because of the wrong timing.
“It is not fair to us maize farmers because of its wrong timing. In the Rift Valley, we are currently harvesting maize, which shall lower maize prices,” Cherargei said.
The senator said a meeting will be convened on Tuesday for MPs of maize growing areas to develop a sustainable solution on the matter.
Earlier in the day, Trade CS Moses Kuria stated that the government will not purchase maize for any other reason other than strategic preservation.
Kuria claimed that farmers are sitting on over 20 million bags of maize and that they are expected to harvest about 35 million bags in the next two weeks.
The CS asked the farmers to urgently release the existing maize bags and those obtained after harvesting to millers so that the latter does not import maize.
“Government will not buy maize directly or indirectly other than for strategic reserve. It is estimated that farmers are sitting on 20 million bags of maize. Let them release it to the millers. You can call me if no miller is buying your maize,” Kuria said.
The CS said the government will not import any maize inputs, adding that it will keep monitoring the rainfall trends and what it means for maize harvests.
“The gazette notice we will release today will open up the market to millers and anyone to import maize duty-free for 6 months,” Kuria noted.