Newly appointed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya on Wednesday, January 15, took over in his new docket after the sacking of former CS Mwangi Kiunjuri on Tuesday, January 14.
Through a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Munya swiftly assumed his new role in the crucial docket addressing a number of issues that President Uhuru Kenyatta had highlighted in his Tuesday address.
Munya directed the New KCC to purchase milk at Ksh33 up from Ksh25 per litre - a directive that comes as a reprieve to farmers who have been decrying the reduction in raw milk prices over the years.
The CS further announced that the government had put in place additional measures including the hiring of more choppers to deal with the locust invasion in Northern Kenya.
“We are hiring and deploying three more spray aircraft that will start work tomorrow morning in all areas affected by the locusts.
“One airplane is at this moment being equipped with tanks headed for Garissa, Marsabit and Mandera counties. We want to contain them at where they are before spread,” remarked Munya.
The cabinet secretary also indicated that the ministry was moving in to acquire four more aircraft from government institutions to help in surveillance of the locust swarms.
“The ministry has moved in to acquire four additional aircraft for surveillance of the locusts which is necessary as it will help sight them before spraying.
“We have one aircraft from the Kenya Wildlife Service, two from the Kenya Pipeline and one from the Kenya Forest Services,” added Munya.
Munya also indicated that the government had purchased more pesticides for use in the exercise urging Kenyans to be more patient as the effects of the chemicals take place on the swarms.
“We will also distribute 20,000 litres of additional control pesticides. The government will also ensure capacity building for county teams to help in building up a team for the whole exercise.
“We have seven swarms already controlled, five still at large headed to Laikipia and Isiolo counties but we are working on that. I am sure we will be able to manage this problem,” remarked Munya.
Former CS Mwangi Kiunjuri was sacked by the president in a move aimed at streamlining the cabinet.
