By Kigotho Mwangi,
The government has backtracked on its directive barring residents of Nessuit, Marioshoni and Sigotik areas in Nakuru County from cultivating maize on their farms.
Last month, the provincial administration issued the directive citing insecurity in the area, saying locals use maize plantations to stage inter-community clashes and cattle rustling.
However, on March 1, Njoro Assistant County Commissioner Mohammed Shee told the locals that they can now plant maize on only one acre of maize per family.
Shee has cautioned locals against disregarding the directive, warning that any maize crops outside of one acre will be cleared by security agencies.
The directive caused an uproar from locals who demanded to be given alternative food crops to cultivate.
In a letter written by Naisuit Location Chief Douglas Mutai, who administers Naisuit and Sigoan wards, locals have been barred from cultivating maize for at least a year to allow security agencies to tame the runaway insecurity in the area.
The chief claimed that attackers have been using maize plantations to launch raids and hide from law enforcement agencies deployed in the area.
John Kirase, a local, told K24 Digital that his 12 acres of land had already been ploughed and had already bought farm inputs, including maize seeds in preparation for the planting season.
“The government should come and compensate us because each acre of land cost me Sh2,000 while farm inputs cost more than Sh60,000,” said Kirase as he enumerated his losses.
Without [counting] labour costs, I have already spent Sh84,000 and I can’t afford any other crop. Unless the government gives us incentives, we will be doomed,” said Kirase.
