Ministry of Special Programme is seeking sh 1 billion from the treasury to buy maize from farmers as part of strategic grain reserves. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Andrew Mondoh, said the government is buying more maize from farmers to enhance its strategic grain reserves and food security measures. Mr Mondoh also said that the move by the government to strengthen its grain reserves through the National Cereals and Produce Board [NCBP] would protect the farmers from being exploited by unscrupulous businessmen from the neighboring countries.

The PS who was speaking today during a technical meeting of the National Drought crisis steering committee which was held in Nairobi, urged millers to offer competitive maize prices to farmers in a bid to encourage them to produce more during the next planting season.

He said the government has made plans to buy maize from farmers in South Rift, Eastern region and Tana River to avoid wastage of the food crop. On drought conditions and rainfall patterns in the country, Mondoh said farmers will be advised by the government accordingly, while water and pasture challenges will be tackled effectively.

He said the national drought steering committee members and other stakeholders are undertaking studies on how to tackle drought conditions in the country, adding that both scientific and historical issues have been taken into account by the drought mitigation experts.

Speaking during the same occasion, Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands Permanent Secretary Mr Lawrence Lenayapa, urged the committee to advise the government on the best methods of tackling drought, floods and food security issues. Mr Lenayapa noted that with adequate food supplies in the country, the cost of living will be manageable because of  their farming activities.