The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has called on the National Government to pay Kenya Seed Company Ksh 1.3 billion that was meant for maize seed subsidy in the current planting season.
Speaking to the press at Mbegu Plaza in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, after holding a parliamentary oversight tour and a session with Kenya Seed Company Board of Directors, Committee Chairperson Bungoma Senator David Wakoli said the company needs the money to pay contracted seed growers and also finance other company’s operations.
The Senator also revealed that some County governments owe Kenya Seed millions of shillings.
“The essence of our visit was to look at how prepared Kenya Seed is to make Kenya seed and food secure. For your information, County Governments owe Kenya Seed millions of shillings and 1.3 billion shillings by the National Government. These monies should be paid so that the company’s normal operations are not hampered,” Wakoli said.
The Senate committee also fired a warning shot at fake and substandard seed traders.
“On the issue of fake seeds, we are going to be very strict and thorough and demand that government agencies that are in line with ensuring quality seed is given quality to our farmers, that is KEPHIS, KALRO, and the security agencies in our country do their work diligently.
The kind of lukewarm attitude on the people dealing with fake seeds must stop. They must be prosecuted and they must pay for their sins,” warned Wakoli.
He further called on the giant seed company to consider introducing extension services in its day-to-day operations and adopt irrigation-fed seed production instead of the conventional rain-fed agriculture.
Does Kenya Seed have sufficient seeds?
On his part, Kenya Seed Managing Director Sammy Chepsiror, stated that the company has sufficient seed in their stores for both local and international markets.
“While we have enough seeds, we need the 1.3 billion shillings to pay our maize seed growers and to remain in optimum operation,” Chepsiror told the press.
The Kenya Seed management further asked the committee to help them get over Ksh 200 million they need to removal asbestos from their old buildings.
Other Senators present during the visit included Alexander Munyi (Embu) and Catherine Mumma (nominated).
