Leaders turn heat on DP William Ruto over farmers' woes

Leaders from Western and North Rift regions want Deputy President William Ruto to act over the ailing state of sugar, maize and tea farming.

They said the three crops are the worst hit in the agricultural sector and pointed fingers at Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei, claiming that he had failed to steer the sector in the right direction.

The leaders who raised the concern include governors Cleophas Lagat (Nandi) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Woman Representative Janet Nangabo, Trans Nzoia Senator Henry ole Ndiema, Endebess MP Robert Pukose, Lugari MP Ayub Savula who sits in the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Committee, and Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu.

The complaints by the leaders came as maize farmers pleaded with the Government to reopen the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to save them from middlemen who were buying their produce at throwaway prices.

However, there was relief Monday after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the NCPB to reopen its depots immediately and start buying maize from farmers (See story on page 3). The Head of State issued the directive in Mombasa at the Kenya Navy’s jubilee celebrations in Mtongwe.

Dr Lagat also asked the Deputy President to order investigations into decline in agriculture sector.

“When you (Ruto) were the Minister for Agriculture, tea, maize and sugar were doing well. You need to investigate what is ailing the vital docket and direct those in charge to be proactive,” said Dr Lagat.

The Nandi Governor said tea farmers, who are dominant in his county, had been victims of unfair prices set by factory owners with their bonuses being drastically reduced or scrapped.

Discouraging moment

“There has never been a more discouraging moment in tea production than now. It is so bad that farmers are contemplating cancelling leases and uprooting tea plantations because it has become an unprofitable venture,” said Lagat.

Speaking at Turbo in Uasin Gishu County during a prayer and thanksgiving meeting, Savula asked Ruto to probe the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture to save the sector. Savula, who who was once the chairperson of the Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Committee, said that farmers who are vital in sustaining food sufficiency in the country were living in squalor due to inefficiencies in the ministry.

“I want to ask the DP what has gone wrong in the ministry he streamlined and made efficient. Farmers were relieved from long-term burdens of expensive inputs, limited market access and poor market prices. What is happening now?” he posed.

According to Savula, the DP, who hails from Rift Valley, understands the plight of farmers and should ask Mr Koskei to resign for allegedly failing to motivate and cushion farmers.

“If the Cabinet Secretary is inefficient, he should be relieved of his duties and another person willing to assist and salvage farmers from a life of poverty be allowed an opportunity to serve,” said Savula.

But speaking at the same function, Ruto said that the Government had a programme in place to save Mumias Sugar Company which he acknowledged was an economic anchor of the Western region and parts of Rift Valley.

Khaemba, Ole Ndiema, Nangabo and Pukose had also expressed concern over the delayed opening of NCPB depots to purchase this year’s harvest.

“The farmers are incurring further losses in the form of storage costs because there is no ready favourable market for their produce. The NCPB depots should have opened last month so that farmers could sell their maize and get school fees and inputs for the next season,” said Khaemba.

But Ruto had said the matter would be addressed.

“Concerning maize sales, we have engaged the Agriculture and Finance ministries and the NCPB officials and we will give a solution this week,” said the Deputy President.

Ruto told the huge crowd that had gathered for the prayer meeting at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Turbo that the East African Community’s (EAC’s) Common Market had become a factor in the setting of prices by the NCPB, because the price the Government pays farmers must be within the EAC’s agreed policy on subsidies by member States trading in the same commodity.

Next season

Most farmers are still stuck with this year’s harvest, which they need to sell to raise money to prepare for the next planting season.

Middlemen in the larger North Rift region have taken advantage of the delayed opening of the NCPB depots and are buying maize from farmers at prices as low as Sh1,300 per 90kg bag.

When farmers complained last year, the NCPB purchased 50kg bag of maize at Sh1,560 after the Government banned the packing and sale of the commodity in 90kg bags, something most middlemen continue to ignore. Other leaders from Kakamega and Vihiga counties asked Ruto to remember the Western region and help revive the fortunes of the ailing Mumias Sugar Company.

This comes in the wake of worries that the sugar miller may delay re-opening the factory that was closed in October for maintenance due to a shortage of cane.

The company, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange declared a net loss of Sh2.7 billion in the last financial year and has huge debts.

The Government licenced 10 companies to import sugar after the closure of the Mumias plant for maintenance.

Vihiga MP Yussuf Chanzu asked the DP to lobby other leaders to intervene and boost Mumias Sugar Company.