Maize farmers stage protest at Rift NCPB

Kenya: Farmers in Uasin Gishu County on Tuesday held a demonstration at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Eldoret depot, putting local leaders on the spot over neglect, after they were barred from delivering their maize.

The farmers, who vowed to bring business in Eldoret town to a standstill, were protesting over the revelation by the NCPB management that they had run out of cash to purchase their maize.

Over 200 lorries and tractors carrying maize have been lined up along a two kilometre stretch of road since Thursday last week.

"We want the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei to give us the way forward, he recently came and witnessed the farmers' situation, promising to have the produce purchased but there has been no response from him so far," said Kipkorir Menjo, a Kenya Farmers Association director.

Two weeks ago, Mr Koskei visited the depot to assess maize purchasing and said most of the Sh2.7 billion for the Strategic Grain Reserve had been spent. "We are remaining with Sh460 million after purchasing 1.4 million bags, which can only purchase 296,507 50kg bags," said Koskei.