Protect maize farmers from cartels out to exploit them

A recent announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta while on the campaign trail that the Government had set aside Sh6.5 billion to purchase maize from farmers in the bread basket region of Kenya has sparked frenzied buying by exploitative cartels that have driven farmers to their knees in the past.

Once a guaranteed source of income, maize farming has lost its allure due to the high cost of production and minimal returns.