Monday, November 28, 2022 –Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithina Linturi and his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria are embroiled in a war of word and supremacy battle.
Distancing himself from claims by Kuria that Kenya had a shortage of maize hence need for importation, Linturi observed that, whatever Kuria had announced was not true.
He added that there was enough maize produced locally and that anything to do with food falls under his docket and not Kuria’s.
He clarified that the records so far in his ministry shows that there is no need for the importation of Genetically modified Organism GMO maize into the country.
The Agriculture CS who was addressing during the Council of Governors meeting held today Monday November 28, openly conflicted with Kuria and asked governors to ignore Kuria.
He assured the county CEOs that the countries national granary was sufficient enough to feed every Kenyan.
“Relax, you will have food. I am the custodian of the national food status and will give a more comprehensive report on the same because I have all the data,” Linturi stated.
The Agriculture boss went ahead to defend farmers who Kuria had threatened that should they not release maize into the market, government will look for a foreign alternative.
“You cannot be forced to sell your produce. The government is working to ensure there is food security in the country and that with the right nutritional content,” the CS also declared.
He wondered why Mr. Kuria was busy advocating for the genetically modified Organism GMO maize when there is enough quality food in the country.
