Rogue maize traders put on notice as Uhuru orders pay for farmers

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the arrest and prosecution of those who embezzled funds allocated to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

On Saturday, the President ordered Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to ensure the unscrupulous traders who were paid millions of shillings meant for genuine farmers be brought to book.

For several months now, the CS has been under fire over claims of corruption at the maize depot.

He appeared before the Parliamentary Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Committee in May after he was summoned over the saga.

The NCPB scandal was revealed after an audit conducted into the multi-billion-shilling maize scandal unearthed over 200 ghost farmers.

It is said that they were paid up to Ksh.1.9billion by the cereals Board, a move which later lead to the arrest of Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe and eight NCPB bosses in August this year.

On Saturday, President Uhuru also announced that the government has released Ksh.2.6billion to pay sugarcane farmers who delivered their produce but were not paid.