DP William Ruto's Koilel Farm and 11 other farmers set to earn kSh200 million after being cleared by EACC

Huge payday for Ruto after getting clearance in maize supply deal

Mumbi Mutuko

April 25, 2019 9:35 AM

Laughing all the way to the bank

Deputy President William Ruto laughing

Deputy President William Ruto through his Koilel Farm and 11 other farmers are set to receive Ksh200 million after being cleared by the EACC for the bungled supply of grains to the NCPB.

National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) managing director Albin Sang indicated that the 12 growers, who were cleared by the EACC are to be paid within one week.

The NCPB boss further revealed that the payment will be made after the Strategic Food Reserve releases the money.

The 12 are among the 62 individuals who were under probe by the EACC over suspected irregular supply of maize to the board in order to benefit from a government price.

Big payday for 12 maize farmers Pulse Live Kenya

Collusion with cartels

Suspicions were rife with claims that they had bought maize elsewhere and sold it to the NCPB, which had been restricted to buy grains from farmers.

Koilel Farm supplied 6,000 bags of maize for Sh19.2 million and told the EACC it produced the grains from its 430-acre farm in Uasin Gishu.

Cartels are said to have profited from payments made by the NCPB at the expense of genuine farmers in a racket that saw thousands of growers miss out on their payment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) stated that investigations into the irregularities established that NCPB officials, agricultural officers and chiefs colluded with traders to facilitate the delivery of maize to the Kisumu depot, resulting in fraudulent payments.

Mumbi Mutuko