MCA warns Athi River residents for selling maize seeds

Machakos

Thursday October 26, 2023

KNA by Anne Kangero

Athi River Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jeremiah Kaloi has cautioned residents from selling the free maize seed that they were offered by the County government.

Kaloi was speaking at his office in Athiriver while issuing free maize seedlings to farmers around Mavoko Sub County said anyone selling the free seedlings will be breaking the law and will be arrested.

He said they received the seeds from the County government and are in the process of distributing it to farmers in all locations within Machakos County as they wait for the rains.

“If anyone is found selling these seedlings they will be arrested; this was a donation from the County government with no intention to sell but plant them to improve food security,” said Kaloi.

Kaloi further cautioned them from cooking the seedlings because they contain poisonous substances that are used to kill pesticides urging them to seek help from local leaders in case they lack food.

“Do not cook the seeds, there are people who are washing and cooking them yet they contain poisonous substances that are hazardous to one’s health, if you have nothing to eat at home, seek help from local leaders,” added the MCA. 

Kaloi said they have so far distributed the maize to 2500 people within Mlolongo and Mavoko locations in a bid to improve food production.

This comes days after Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti issued certified seeds to 144,700 farmers in Machakos to improve yields ahead of the rains.

Wavinya said that the county government had adopted an integrated approach in putting in place innovative strategies to increase food production in the county.

She noted that the free seedlings are to finish the perennial hunger cycles that have been experienced in Machakos in the previous seasons and also to stop depending on relief food.

Courtesy; KNA