On Friday, Agriculture CS, Mwangi Kiunjuri, skipped an official event hosted by ODM leader, Raila Odinga, at his rural home in Siaya County.
This comes after Raila sent a stern warning to the CS over the planned importation of maize.
Kiunjuri was supposed to be the chief guest at the function on Raila’s invitation. The CS has been under significant pressure to quit office over the importation plans.
He instead sent the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service(Kephis) managing director, Dr. Esther Kimani, to represent him.
Odinga had invited over 500 farmers to their farm, to learn about modern farming techniques and crop varieties that suit the region.
Apart from the Kephis team, there was no delegation from the Agriculture Ministry.
According to Nation, when reached out for a comment, Kiunjuri refused to be drawn into discussing the matter.
“You are misinterpreting the situation. There is no requirement that a CS should attend all events in their ministry. It is not practical,” Kiunjuri stated.
Raila went on to address farmers and reiterated his stance that cartels were behind the planned maize importation.
“We don’t want our farmers to suffer because of maize imports by some goons. We know who they are and how they flood our markets," Raila declared.
Last week, Raila Odinga urged the Agriculture ministry to thwart the plan, alleging that the shortage is artificial and meant to benefit cartels.
According to the ODM leader, he had sufficient reasons to warn against the looming impediment, after he consulted widely with farmers.
East Africa Legislative Assembly MP, Oburu Oginga, and Nominated Senator, Rose Nyamunga, attended the meeting.
