Raila Odinga promises to weed out cartels, uplift maize farmers in Trans Nzoia

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has reiterated that it is imperative for the government to support maize farmers in Trans Nzoia County.

While addressing residents of the region on Saturday, Odinga claimed that the farmers have little to show for their efforts despite producing majority of the maize in the country.

According to Odinga, the maize farming sector in the region is full of greedy individuals who dupe farmers to sell the produce at low prices only to re-sell them at much higher rates.

This, the former Prime Minister argues, has left the farmers with little to show for their efforts, something he would want to change if elected to the presidency next year. 

“Everywhere in the world, ukienda Marekani ama Ulaya, farming is always a subsidised business. Serikali inasubsidise farming ili wananchi wawe na chakula ya kutosha kwa bei nafuu, tutafanya haya kwa wakulima wetu, ili wakulima waweze kupata haki yao kulingana na jasho yao,” he said.

Odinga similarly advocated for a decrease in the prices of farming inputs such as seeds and fertilizers so as to augment maize production in the region.

The ODM leader, who was accompanied by governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), also insisted that should he clinch the presidency in next year’s general elections, his government will introduce health insurance covers for all Kenyans and a monthly stipend of Ksh. 6,000 for needy families.  

Odinga is expected to tour different parts of Trans Nzoia to preach his agenda ahead of the polls next year.