Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has distanced himself from claims by his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria that the country had a maize shortage necessitating importation.
Speaking to the Council of Governors on Monday, November 28, Linturi clarified that data in the hands of the Ministry did not indicate any gaps in supply that warranted a boost from external markets.
He assured the county chiefs that the stock in the country’s food basket was sufficient for all Kenyans.
“Relax, you will have food. I am the custodian of the national food status and will give a more comprehensive report on the same because I have all the data,” Linturi stated.
The Agriculture CS rubbished the clarion call by Kuria to farmers asking them to sell their harvest to millers lest the government abandons them for foreign markets.
He defended farmers from accusations of hoarding maize adding that one can only sell what is left after their own personal needs are met.
Taking a swipe at the Trade CS over the push to import genetically modified organism (GMO) maize, Linturi stated that sufficient food supply should go hand in hand with quality.
“You cannot be forced to sell your produce. The government is working to ensure there is food security in the country and that with the right nutritional content,” the CS declared.
In addition, he guaranteed Kenyans that the cost of maize, which is a staple food in most households, would go down.
On November 28, Kuria insisted that the country had a deficit in maize produce even with the crop being hoarded factored in.
“We will still suffer a shortage of 15 million even if all the maize is released; this was brought to me by Linturi. After it’s finished, what shall we do?” He beckoned.
The outspoken CS insisted that the cost of maize flour will drop soonest in November 2023.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE