Why DP William Ruto talk on maize is recipe for national crisis

William Ruto at a past function. Should North Rift farmers heed his advice to shun growing maize for other food crops, the country could easily find itself in a predicament similar to Sudan’s. [File, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto’s suggestion that farmers in the North Rift abandon maize for other lucrative crops has been castigated by politicians from the region, terming the move ‘suicidal’ politically.

North Rift counties of Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia constitute Kenya’s food-basket, not because all kinds of food crops are grown there but mainly these counties - together with Nakuru and Bungoma - produce most of the maize consumed in the country.