President Ruto bans importation of wheat, maize

The government will no longer issue permits to millers to import wheat or maize into the country.

President William Ruto, while speaking on Thursday at State House when he met a delegation from Narok North Constituency led by its MP Agnes Pareiyo, said the move is aimed at protecting local farmers and stabilising prices.

He said the government will only deviate from the directive if the local produce is insufficient.

The President pointed out that the government will allocate Ksh.4 billion to buy maize from farmers, stating; “We ask our farmers not to sell their produce at throw-away prices.”

The Head of State announced that NCPB driers will be used to dry farmers' maize at a minimal fee of Ksh.50 in a bid to reduce post-harvest losses over high moisture.

Currently, a bag of maize costs nearly Ksh.400.

“Even if farmers don’t want to sell their maize to NCPB, they will have an opportunity to dry their produce at the State agency and store it,” Ruto explained.

The President at the same time said a KCC milk plant will be constructed in Narok to improve milk quality and thus boost prices.

Leaders in the meetings included Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Jonathan Leleliit (Samburu), Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, MCAs and grassroots leaders.