More NCPB officials arrested over maize payments

Five officials of the National Cereals and Produce board (NCPB) and two other people have been arrested over maize scam.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers yesterday arrested Willy Kipkoech Kosgey (silo manager, Kisumu), Renson Kibet Korir (silo manager, Eldoret), Thomas Kipkurgat Sang (extension officer, Soy Ward) and Jeremiah Omutsani Omwayi (deputy silo manager, Kisumu).

Also arrested were Soy location chief David Barngetuny Korir, NCPB cashier Laban Momanyi Michira and Rodney Kimtai, an alleged maize trader said to have received Sh2.2. million from NCPB.

The seven were nabbed in Eldoret and Kisumu in the latest wave of arrests targeting individuals suspected to be involved in graft.

Mr Kimtai was mentioned in a report to Parliament by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri as among tens of traders who were allegedly paid Sh5.2 billion.

The officials are expected to be arraigned in court today to face charges related to the maize scam.

The case against former Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe and former NCPB Managing Director Newton Terer over the scandal is ongoing.

The NCPB has been on the spot for the better part of the year with farmers crying foul that they were shortchanged by cartels, which colluded with NCPB officials, to receive payments at the expense of genuine farmers. The maize was allegedly delivered to NCPB stores in Eldoret and Kisumu.