Different views have emerged after the government announced that National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will only purchase 400 bags of maize per farmer. Addressing members of West FM Salaams clubs in Kiminini Catholic church in Kiminini ward in Trans Nzoia County during the launch of 8 Salaams clubs, Kiminini MCA David Kisaka stated that Trans Nzoia was given the second position in the allocation of maize that is supposed to be supplied by farmers to the NCPB behind Uasin Gishu County, arguing that Trans Nzoia leads in maize farming and wondered what was the basis of the allocation criteria.
“The number of bags allocated in Trans Nzoia is like maize from 4 or 5 farmers, so we fail to understand where other farmers will take their maize. Therefore, I urge the government to allocate enough funds so that all farmers can benefit,” stated Kisaka.
His Nabiswa ward counterpart Martin Simiyu Jamanuru said that the directive will help tame the cartels, brokers and middlemen who are fond of buying maize outside the country and take them to NCPB, something that has made genuine farmers suffer.
Jamanuru said that the entire management of NCPB should be changed so that farmers who are truly supposed to supply maize are the ones to do so. He alleged that the management is biased. “We urge the government to change the whole NCPB management because that is where the problem starts, these people won’t take maize from farmers who are eligible instead they consider the relationship that the farmer has with them,” said Jamanuru.
However, they said that the directive will help small scale farmers but will be a blow to large scale farmers for they questioned where they’ll take their maize.
Chairman for Trans Nzoia West FM Salaams Clubs Silas Omanyo thanked fans for turning up in large numbers for the event and urged those who are not in the Salaams clubs and are listeners, viewers and readers of West Media content to make haste and join.
West Media was represented by Phanice Pkemei, Joan Wesakulila, Samuel Munai and Victoriah Nang’oni who appreciated members of Trans Nzoia Salaams Clubs for remaining loyal to the company’s products and promised to work together and remain close to them in sorrow and happiness. They also told them to remain in unity for it is only through it that they will have to achieve their aspirations and dreams.