Irate wheat farmers protest delayed payment by produce board

There was a standoff at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Nakuru after wheat farmers blocked the entry and exit points of the depot for hours to protest over delayed payments.

The farmers, from Nakuru and Narok counties, decried the non-payment for wheat delivered in March 2025 after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed all depots to buy wheat from farmers on March 3.

Kagwe had promised that all farmers would be paid within 21 days of delivering their wheat to NCPB depots.

The directive aimed to resolve a crisis in which farmers were stranded with 321,000 bags of wheat following the harvest.

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However, farmers complained of broken promises two months after delivering their wheat.

“The payments were to be implemented within 21 days from the date of delivery, and where possible, within a shorter period, to enhance wheat accessibility for millers and payment to farmers,” read a statement by the farmers.

The farmers stated that they had delivered their wheat to NCPB but had not been paid, despite making several demands.

“These funds are crucial for farmers as they need them to prepare their farms for the next season, which has already begun,” the statement added.

They said there had been frequent consultations and follow-ups, but none had materialised, and farmers continued to suffer.

The farmers noted that some had secured loans to fund their operations and were now struggling to repay them due to the delayed payments.

“As a result, they are facing penalties from financial institutions, further diminishing their already tight margins. If this issue persists, wheat farming in the county may become unsustainable,” they said.

They insisted the problem was that the wheat was not being sold and had remained in storage since last year, leading to substantial storage costs and a decline in quality.

With the next harvesting cycle set to begin in July, they said the lack of a resolution would worsen the situation, potentially putting more farmers at risk.

“This recent trend in the wheat sector does not appear to align with this government’s vision for the agricultural sector and food security. The government must act and resolve the issue,” they said.

[Daniel Chege]

Furthermore, the farmers urged the government to design a subsidy scheme for wheat farmers to access fertiliser and other inputs, in order to boost local wheat production and reduce imports.

Isaac Mwangi from Lower Mau said he delivered 1,200 bags of wheat to NCPB, amounting to Sh6.24 million.

He said his only proof was a receipt he received upon delivering his wheat to the Nakuru depot.

“I have had problems taking my children back to school because I have no money. I also do not have capital to prepare my land for farming this year,” said Mwangi.

Samuel Mbatia asked the government to either pay him his dues or return his 250 bags of wheat, worth Sh1.3 million.

He said they did not believe that Kagwe would deceive them, and had they known better, they would have held on to their wheat.

“We would have sold it at a cheaper price, but at least we would have been assured of instant payment. Right now, we want to know where our money is,” he said.

NCPB manager Antony Tanui declined to address the media, stating that the payment issue was beyond his authority and that the responsible party was the national government.