APA-Nairobi (Kenya) No permits will be issued to millers to import wheat or maize into Kenya where the government has issued a ban on the importation of maize, APA can report from Nairobi on Thursday.
President William Ruto said the move is aimed at protecting local farmers pointing out that the government will only deviate from the directive if the local produce is insufficient.
To this end his government will allocate Ksh 4 billion to buy maize from farmers in move which is expected to stabilise prices.
Ruto was speaking on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, when he met a delegation from Narok North Constituency led by its MP Agnes Pareiyo.
Also in the meeting were Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Jonathan Leleliit (Samburu), Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, MCAs and grassroots leaders.
“We ask our farmers not to sell their produce at throw-away prices.”
To reduce post-harvest losses over high moisture, the Kenyan leader announced that NCPB driers will be used to dry farmers maize at a minimal fee of Ksh 50.
This is from a high of nearly Sh400 a bag.
“Even if farmers don’t want to sell their maize to NCPB, they will have an opportunity to dry their produce at the State agency and store it,” he explained.
President Ruto said a KCC milk plant will be constructed in Narok to improve milk quality and thus boost prices.
WN/as/APA