By DPPS
Deputy President William Ruto has criticised politicians against his call to maize farmers to diversify.
“If someone tells you to rely on one crop, that person is misleading you. We must think about diversification,” he said.
“We must change our ways. We cannot be fighting year in year out over the price of maize. We must find how we will ensure we have food and crops that earn us money as well.”
Ruto spoke at Kitale Showgrounds in Trans Nzoia county during the Kitale Catholic Diocese family day where leaders raised concerns over the low price of maize.
He was accompanied by Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, governors Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma County), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Janet Nangabo (Trans Nzoia), Paul Katana (Kaloleni) and Lilian Tomito (West Pokot).
In November, three Rift Valley MPs triggered a political storm after publicly claiming Ruto had a 500,000-acre farm in the Republic of Congo.
In a scathing attack on the DP, the rebel Jubilee lawmakers claimed Ruto was positioning himself to be the principal maize supplier to the scandal-ridden National Cereals and Produce Board by discouraging the region from maize farming.
MPs Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hill) and Silas Tiren (Moiben) claimed Ruto has been encouraging farmers to substitute maize farming with avocado and macadamia.