The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries chaired by Sen. David Wakoli( Bungoma) today engaged the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in a detailed review of the country’s food security situation, with a focus on grain reserves, storage capacity and post-harvest management systems.

During the session, Members were informed that the National Grain Reserve is currently without maize stocks, with only 1,942 of 50 kg bags of beans held in reserve. The Board indicated that it has been allocated Kshs.1.22 billion to support the purchase of maize and other staple crops during the upcoming harvest period.

It was further noted that projections on expected inflows remain dependent on the ongoing planting season and prevailing weather conditions, with NCPB planning to procure at least 4.5 million bags of maize once harvesting begins.

The Board outlined its preparedness measures, noting that it has set aside storage capacity of up to 6.7 million bags across major producing regions. It also highlighted the establishment of aflatoxin testing laboratories in key depots including Bungoma, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi and Meru to ensure that grain received meets safety and quality standards.

The Committee also reviewed the Board’s drying infrastructure, where it was noted that NCPB operates both fixed and mobile grain dryers across the country. Ten fixed dryers are installed in major silos, with nine currently operational, while sixty-five mobile dryers have been deployed across thirty-one counties and multiple depots.

However, operational gaps were observed within the system, including a non-functional dryer in Webuye, a vandalized unit in Maua, and the redeployment of several units to support irrigation activities at the Galana Kulalu project.

It was further observed that while the dryers are largely accessible to farmers, utilization levels vary across regions, particularly in areas where traditional sun drying remains prevalent.

On post-harvest management, the Board outlined measures aimed at minimizing losses, including mandatory moisture testing before grain intake and the use of dryers to ensure safe storage levels. Trained personnel have also been deployed to manage drying operations, while pest control teams continue to oversee fumigation and storage conditions across depots.

The Committee was also informed that infrastructure gaps remain, particularly the lack of drying floors and weather shelters at some mobile dryer sites, which exposes grain to contamination and moisture reabsorption during handling.

Despite this capacity, the need for improvements in access roads, drainage and yard surfaces was noted in several depots, including Lessos, Tala, Kitui, Butere, Nanyuki and Yala, especially during peak harvest periods and rainy seasons.

The Board also reported that while most depots are not prone to flooding, drainage challenges have been identified at Kipkabus Depot in Uasin Gishu County, with mitigation measures currently under consideration.

On farmer support during peak harvest periods, Members were informed that the Government has set and reviewed the minimum maize price from Kshs.3,500 to Kshs.4,000 per 90kg bag to cushion farmers from market fluctuations.

The Board further indicated that payments to farmers are processed within 48 hours, while calibrated weighing systems have been installed across depots to ensure accuracy and transparency in transactions.

Additionally, the Committee was briefed on broader efforts to stabilize the cereal market, including the use of the Warehouse Receipt System, strategic release of grain stocks and continued support to farmers through subsidized farm inputs.

The engagement highlighted the importance of strengthening storage, drying and handling infrastructure, with Members emphasizing the need for sustained investment to enhance efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses and reinforce the country’s food security systems.

By Anthony Solly

President William Ruto, on Thursday, March 26, revealed that he holds Mozambican citizenship.

Speaking at the State House during a joint presser with Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, Ruto confirmed that he was awarded citizenship during a trip to the country.

He added that the Mayor of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, gave him the ‘keys to the city’.

“I agree that the last time I was in Mozambique, I was given the keys to Maputo by the Mayor.

“He also signed for me a small certificate to be a citizen of Mozambique. I will make use of my citizenship and the key when I come back,” the President disclosed.

Ruto was responding to President Chapo, who extended the invitation as the two jointly addressed the media after holding talks at State House.

“We wish once again to extend our invitation to Ruto to visit Mozambique. I know two years back you were in Maputo and got the key, and you are also Mozambican. You are a citizen of Maputo,” the Mozambican President reiterated

During his address, President Chapo announced that Kenyan drivers with a valid driving license would be allowed to drive in his country without any interference by the police.

He assured that he was committed to extending the positive relationships between the two countries. The two leaders signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The MoUs will see Kenya and Mozambique partner in: diplomatic training, research and capacity building; penitentiary and Prison services and Cooperation in Youth and sports.

Ruto intimated that the discussions also revolved around trade and economic cooperation while identifying key growth areas.

President Chapo is in Kenya for a three-day official visit. He arrived on March 25 and was Ruto’s chief guest during the 4th Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Kenya and Mozambique have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

The agreements were signed on Thursday, March 26, following a meeting between President William Ruto and President Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique at State House, Nairobi.

The MoUs include: diplomatic training, research and capacity building; penitentiary and Prison services, which is aimed at improving standards in correctional services, and Cooperation in Youth and sports, focusing on youth development and sports collaboration.

Speaking after the signing of the agreements, President Ruto described the MoUs as an important milestone in the bilateral relations between Kenya and Mozambique.

The Head of State noted that he and President Daniel Chapo had agreed to ensure the timely implementation of the agreements so that citizens of both nations can benefit.

“These agreements mark an important milestone in our bilateral relations and provide a strong framework for deepening cooperation.

“We agreed to ensure they are timely and effectively implemented so that our people derive maximum benefit from this partnership,” said Ruto.

President Ruto also said they discussed trade and economic cooperation and identified key areas of growth.

“We welcome the steady progress made and the strong opportunities for further expansion and diversification of our trade. We identified key areas of growth, including pharmaceuticals, tea, edible oils, cosmetics, industrial products, agro-processing, and energy,” said Ruto.

President Chapo arrived in Kenya on Tuesday, March 24, for a three-day visit and was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

On Wednesday, March 25, President Chapo attended the 4th Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre as a chief guest.

Chapo’s visit follows Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to Kenya. Zheng arrived in Kenya on Sunday, March 22 night and departed on Wednesday.

The National Assembly has opened a probe into the alleged mismanagement of Sh9.4 billion on the eCitizen platform, summoning seven heads of key entities to explain how funds were diverted to private firms.

In a session on Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, said the investigation will focus on the licensing and approvals that allowed these entities to collect public funds and whether there was any irregular diversion.

Mwale made the announcement when the committee engaged Principal Secretaries Chris Kiptoo (Treasury), Belio Kipsang (Immigration and Citizen Services) and John Tanui (ICT and Digital Economy) over the Auditor General’s Special Audit Report on the platform.

According to the report, Sh9.4 billion was irregularly channelled from the system, with details indicating that the funds were diverted and paid to private entities.

The committee has now invited heads of seven entities, including the Office of the Attorney General and Equity Bank, to explain how the funds were moved out of the system. Other entities of interest are Pesa Flow Limited, Goldrock Limited, Olive Media Limited, Webmasters Kenya and Electronic Citizen Solutions.

“We expect the entities to give their side of the story and explain how they were licensed to collect funds from Kenyans, how approvals were granted, the amounts they are holding, and any possible diversion,” Mwale said.

The Auditor General’s report further raised concerns about control of the platform, warning that the government does not have full oversight and instead relies on a vendor.

“Noting that the majority of government services are provided through the platform, control by the vendor creates a single point of failure,” the report, tabled in the House on April 2, 2025, reads in part.

However, during the session, National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo assured the committee that the platform is fully owned by the government under a handover agreement signed in January 2023.

He explained that he, alongside officials from the State Department of ICT and the State Department of Immigration, executed the agreement.

“As per the agreement, the vendor agreed to completely and unconditionally hand over the eCitizen platform to the Government of Kenya,” Kiptoo said.

The officials revealed that the platform has recorded sharp revenue growth, rising from an average of Sh60 million to about Sh600 million daily.

To strengthen oversight, Kiptoo said draft regulations governing the platform have been finalised and will soon be submitted to stakeholders for validation. He emphasised that the platform has also been designated as Critical Information Infrastructure, highlighting its importance to national security.

Officials told the committee that efforts to enhance system integrity, accountability and transparency remain a priority through continued collaboration among government agencies.