Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the national government will not provide relief food for the residents of Trans Nzoia County.
Speaking at Andrews Kaggwa Catholic Church in Trans Nzoia, on Sunday, February 11 Gachagua said the County is the main food basket of the country and should not be begging for relief food.
“We cannot bring relief food to Trans Nzoia because you are the highest producers of maize in this country. You can’t sell everything and remain with nothing to eat then you ask for food relief,” said Gachagua.
Therefore, DP Gachagua advised the farmers not to sell everything and keep some of their produce for consumption.
“Lakini watu wa Trans Nzoia pia mkilima mahindi venye mlilima vizuri msiuze kila kitu, bakisha zingine za kukula. Sasa nyinyi ndiyo wenye kuzalisha mahindi hapa, halafu mnauza yote halafu mnaomba msahada wa mahindi, hatuwezi,” he said.
This translates to “Trans Nzoia residents should not sell all the maize after doing a very good job, leave some for consumption. You are the producers of maize, you sell all of it then you ask for donations from government, we can’t give you.”
Gachagua on President Ruto’s Initiatives
The DP explained that President William Ruto lowered the price of fertilizer from Ksh 7,000 to Ksh 2,500 to support farmers in Trans Nzoia to ensure Kenya’s food security.
He encouraged the locals to continue farming adding that relief food will be taken to areas whose residents do not farm.
“We will take relief foods to areas where people don’t grow food crops at all but for Trans Nzoia if you harvest 100 bags put aside 20 bags for your family and sell the remaining 80 so that we can move forward,” he said.
The DP noted that the government provided Ksh 900 million to stabilize the prices of milk.
He further revealed that the prices per litre will increase to Ksh 50 from March 1 up from the current Ksh 45.
“Going forward we will try to increase it to Ksh 60. Take advantage of this opportunity and take your milk to the new KCC at a good price set by the government,” said the DP.
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Peace in Trans Nzoia
Gachagua thanked the local leaders for promoting peace in Trans Nzoia despite the county being cosmopolitan.
He encouraged the local communities to intermarry to eradicate tribalism in the county.
‘Let us stay together as the people of Trans Nzoia, let us intermarry, mingle, love one another and be a cohesive county,” said the DP.
The second in command observed that insecurity incidents had reduced in the County adding that the president was delighted with the efforts of law enforcing officers in the region.
Also Read: Gachagua Threatens Teachers with Firing for Defying Govt Order
DP Calls Out Residents Over Polls
Nonetheless, Gachagua criticized the people of Trans Nzoia for voting for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the last general election.
He asked the residents to support President William Ruto stating that Raila stands no chance against the president in 2027.
The DP mentioned that Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is naturally in government since his time in the police service.
“The blood of George Natembeya is government, you have no business in the opposition. You can’t even reason with them because you don’t like demonstrations, you have been a government’s person all this while,” he said.
As such, he asked Natembeya to lead the County so that the residents can get development from the national government.
