Lobby advocates for maize importation saying Kenyans are starving
Coordinator Suba Development Forum Bernard Okebe addressing residents of Gwasi during a past meeting-File Photo
By Dickson Odhiambo
November 24, 2022
Lobby advocates for
maize importation saying Kenyans are starving
A LOBBY Group has asked the Government to immediately carry
out the importation of maize into the country and give to Kenyans who are currently
facing starvation.
Suba Development Forum says Members of Parliament who are
opposed to the importation of maize whether genetically modified or not should
face the reality on how many Kenyans are faced with hunger and need food.
Addressing the Residents of Mukuyu in Gwasi of Sub South
Constituency, Suba Development Forum Coordinator Bernard Okebe says what should
worry the Members of Parliament is why some maize farmers are hoarding the
commodity at a time Kenyans need it most.
Okebe has taken issues with Members of Parliament who have
castigated Cabinet Secretary for Trade Moses Kuria over his recent remarks on
the Government’s intention to import maize which are Genetically modified,
saying such castigations will never solved anything yet Kenyans are faced with
severe hunger in some parts of the country.
“Let the Members of Parliament face the reality on
importation of maize. In any case, none of the Kenyan MP go to bed without food
yet there are Kenyans including children who literally go for even about two
days without eating,” Okebe says.
Okebe wonders why the Members of Parliament are thinking of
impeaching CS Trade Moses Kuria on the issue of maize importation.
He says the Cabinet Secretary is right and is for the
interests of majority of Kenyans who are facing hunger.
Okebe at the same
time said it is high time for maize farmers from where the commodity is grown
on large scale to stop hoarding it and wait for higher and exorbitant prices
while Kenyans face dire starvation.
“Why should maize farmers hoard the commodity yet there is
great hunger in many parts of the country? Okebe asked.
He adds that it would not be right for Kenyans to face
hunger and some people would still want them to continue being in such a state.
Okebe’s sentiments comes barely a few days after various
stakeholders have joined the debate on the issue of importation of 10 million bags
of Genetically Modified Maize where some stakeholders have called on the
Government to engage the Kenyans on the process of public participation before
such a move is carried out.
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