National Cereals and Produce Board says it needs Sh10b to refill stores

National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB)  has said it needs Sh10.34 billion to replenish its depleted stores.

Appearing before a parliamentary committee yesterday, NCPB chairman Mutea Iringo said the agency could not support areas hit by drought and urged members to approve the money in the Supplementary Budget.

“Our reserves are depleted. We have nothing in store and we cannot support the government’s efforts to provide relief food to needy Kenyans,” Iringo said. 

However, members challenged the board to account for the billions of shillings allocated by the Treasury to purchase cereals.

In particular, the MPs wanted Iringo and the Managing Director Joseph Kimote to explain how Sh12 billion the board inherited from the defunct Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) was utilised.

“We have never been told how the money was spent. You should first tell us where the money is before we allocate you more,” said committee chairman Silas Tiren (Moiben).

The board, according to the management, has been struggling to purchase cereals because of lack of funds.

Kimote, however, denied claims that the board took over the funds left by SFR, which was disbanded a decade ago.

The MPs, however, maintained they would not approve any allocations until after the board breaks down the food agency planned to purchase.