Kiunjuri opens up on how NCPB ignored order and paid two traders Sh13M

Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri. FILE

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri now claims that in June two maize traders were paid despite an order from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to stop payments to farmers pending investigations.

Kiunjuri says the two were paid Sh13.9 million in June.

According to documents on pending bills for maize purchase for 2017-18, Antony Kipngetich supplied 10,935 50kg bags of maize to Kisumu depot and was paid Sh8.2 million in June 26.

Kiunjuri added that another trader, Isaiah Kipkemei, supplied 13,964, 50kg bags and received Sh5.7 million on June 18.

“These two individuals were paid even with clear instructions to the National Cereals and Produce Board from the EACC and the ministry not to make any more payments from April to pave way for investigations following irregularities in payment of farmers,” the CS told journalists.

Kiunjuri brushed off demands by some Kenyans to resign, following the maize crisis. The CS said if implicated, he will resign but so far he has done his work diligently.

“I’m being crucified for sins I have not committed. The EACC and the DCI are to blame for the slow pace of investigations on issues of payment for maize deliveries,” Kiunjuri said.

“I’m disappointed by the manner and pace in which this matter has proceeded in the hands of the investigative agencies.”

The CS said he has tabled in Parliament names of 152 people who are under investigation. The individuals delivered maize and were paid about Sh2 billion and are still claiming Sh1.4 billion to date.

The ministry established that the 152 individuals delivered a total of two million 50kg bags of maize out of the overall 6.52 million bags received at the NCPB.

“It is interesting to note they were paid between 63 to 90 per cent of their delivered quantities by December 2017, amounting to Sh2.053 billion and are claiming an additional Sh1.470 billion,” Kiunjuri said.

He said the ministry has received Sh9.4 billion, which includes the Sh7 billion that was paid between October 2017 and February 2018. Some Sh1 billiont was paid in May and Sh1.4 billion was paid this month.

“Of the Sh1 billion received in May 2018, 1,200 farmers were paid. The Sh1.4 billion received on September 20, was to clear 900 farmers who had been vetted and cleared by the Multi-Agency Verification Team, ” he said.

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