Former Agriculture CS Willy Bett blamed over failure to pay maize farmers

Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru. [File,Standard]

Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett should be held accountable for the maize scandal that saw many farmers go without pay after deliveries.

Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere and Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru (pictured) yesterday asked the Senate Committee on Agriculture to summon Mr Bett over the scam.

"Bett should explain what he knows about the scandal that saw the National Cereal and Produce Board fail to pay farmers," said Korere.

Waruguru urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to get to the bottom of the matter. "Those who stole money meant for farmers should be punished," said Waruguru.

The leaders said Bett should also appear before the Senate to explain what he knew about the maize scandal at National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB).

“It was he (Bett) who held the Agriculture docket when the scandal emerged and should also be summoned like CS Mwangi Kiunjuri who appeared before the committee last week,” the leaders said during a fundraiser at Kalalu Catholic church.

Maize merchants, Korere claimed were well known, saying there was a ploy by some leaders to link Kiunjuri to the scandal at NCPB.

“In the fullness of time, the truth will come out and the main culprit who stole money meant for genuine farmers will be exposed,” Waruguru stated.