Demand for roasted maize 'fuelling theft' in Narok, farmers say

They say that the theft has been fueled by the high demand for roasted maize in nearby townships.

The residents told Wananchi Reporting that the thieves sell their produce to maize roasters in neighboring townships and this has affected the expected bumper harvest this season.

"The thieves are giving us sleepless nights and we fear that we will have little to harvest if the current trend continues. In other cases, brokers approach unsuspecting dealers of green maize and sell them produce behind the backs of farm owners, setting the stage for conflict," said Benson Sigilai, a resident of Ilmotiok.

There are fears that stolen green maize from Ilmotiok is finding its way to bigger towns, including Narok, Bomet, and Kericho, where it is sold at between Sh15 and Sh20 per cob.

The vice has made the residents spend considerable time and resources guarding their maize farms against the rampant theft.

The residents are calling on the local authorities to step in and address the issue.

They are also urging maize roasters and dealers to avoid buying green maize from unknown sources to avoid being implicated in the theft. 

Additional reporting by Felicia Indakwa