Nominated UDA Mp says importation of GMO maize was well intended
UDA Nominated Mp Hon Joseph Wainaina and Kesses MP Julius Ruto during a fundsdrive at Worldwide Gospel Church Langas /Photo James Gitaka
By James Gitaka
A Nominated member of parliament from the Presidents backyard has supported the
move by government to import 10 million bags of maize in a bid to ensure availability
of affordable maize flour to millions of Kenyans across the Country.
Speaking during a Funds Drive at Worldwide Gospel church Langas Eldoret , UDA Nominated
member of parliament Joseph Wainaina said the Move was well intended ,and assured the
farmers that the importation of maize will not interfere with the current Maize Prices,
“The Government had a duty to ensure that Kenyans had access to affordable maize flour at a time
when many Kenyans are food insecure, We have however urged the Trade and Agriculture
ministers to ensure that Maize farmers fetch better
prices for their produce despite the Importation, this will create a balance between availability of
affordable maize flour and better princes for our farmers, “Said Wainaina.
Wainaina has insisted that leaders should not politicize the Maize importation ,claiming the
opposition is currently using The importation of GMO maize as political fodder to subjugate the
Kenya Kwanza Administration.
Kesses member of parliament Hon Ruto on his part has urged Rift valley
residents and Kenyans across the Country to compliment governments intervention
efforts of helping those in dire need of food by contributing by Kind or in cash
through the recently formed National Steering committee on Drought response’
“We thank God our people were blessed with a bumper harvest, we ask Kenyans to support those in
need of food, over 4 Million Kenyans are food insecure in at least 29 counties. Let’s support the
government in ensuring no one dies due to lack of Food, ” said Hon Ruto.
Hon Ruto has however said government should only import the deficit of what farmers would have availed to the market .
“government always has a responsibility to feed the nation but importation shall come after this years produce has been offloaded to the market in order to cushion farmers from loses”.
However A Ruling by Lady Justice Mugure Thande Monday,banned The Government from Importation or distribution of any GMO crops and food.
In a petition filed by the Kenyan Peasants League (KPL), the petitioners opposed the importation, cultivation and consumption of GMO crops and food arguing that they posed a deadly health hazard to Kenyans, particularly the poor and those of low income.
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