Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has urged leaders from Western Kenya to unite and look for ways of solving problems facing the region, instead of infighting. Speaking in Kitale, CS Wamalwa acknowledged the problems facing residents in the region, particularly farmers, “We call for unity among us and as we focus our thoughts on fighting for our sugarcane farmers so that they can get their dues when January comes,” he said. He said leaders should also be on the front line to fight for the maize farmers who have faced many problems throughout the year, adding that changes are still being made in various departments in the agriculture sector.
The saga surrounding the payment of maize farmers has been among the highlights of the year, as cartels posing as unscrupulous traders have received the money meant for genuine farmers who’ve supplied maize to the cereals boards. Not to be let behind, sugarcane farmers have also decried the lack of payment on several occasions as the sector has faced a dip in the region, prompting President Uhuru Kenyatta to call for the formation of taskforces to deal with the maize and sugar farming woes. CS Wamalwa said he is hopeful the taskforce formed to shed light on and come up with solutions to the problems facing the maize sector will present its results after Christmas, “And so that people who are complaining especially the maize farmers here in Trans Nzoia and other maize growing areas can be able to set up a good life,” he said. He noted the fact that sugarcane farmers in the Western and Nyanza regions are also waiting on the sugar taskforce headed by Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to come up with the solutions to their problems.