DNK International By Kennedy Epalat,Kocholya.
KNUT Teso Branch Chairman, Alex Omoit, has warned maize farmers in Teso North,Busia County against selling their harvests indiscriminately, saying the region could face food scarcity.
Omoit said farmers were currently selling maize at throw away prices, with some receiving between Sh60 and Sh70 for a two kilogram tin, locally known as a korokoro.
“What we are seeing is not pleasing to all of us who practise farming. Someone goes to the farm, looks for people to harvest, hires a crushing machine and then sells the maize at between Sh60 and Sh70 per two-kilogram tin,” he said.
“However, it is understandable if the money is needed to pay school fees for your children. There are many lorries roaming around the villages looking for dry maize to buy at a throw-away price,” Omoit added.
His sentiments were echoed by Kocholya Chief Eliud Itubo, who warned that even Trans Nzoia County, one of the country’s major maize producing regions, might not harvest enough maize to guarantee food security.
Itubo urged farmers to preserve whatever maize they had harvested to avoid suffering the effects of food scarcity.
“We should preserve whatever we have harvested so that we do not suffer from the effects of food scarcity,” he said, urging farmers to plant immediately when the rains begin.
The two were speaking on Friday during the burial of eight year old Samuel Wanyama at Kocholya.
Wanyama died last week shortly after arriving at Kocholya Sub-County Referral Hospital, where he had been rushed after developing complications related to malaria treatment.
The Grade Two pupil at St James Koteko Comprehensive School, at Kocholya in Teso North was eulogised by his teachers as a humble, hardworking and disciplined learner who was among the top performers in his class.
He was the son of Damian Emee Opakoi and Catherine Wanyama Opakoi.
Meanwhile, Kocholya Sub-Parish Priest Fr Sylvester Olendo urged parents to prepare wills and distribute their property among their children or dependants while they are still alive and in good health.
He said doing so could help avert family conflicts after their death.
“When you die, leave behind a peaceful family. You should not leave conflicts within your family once you are no more,” Fr Olendo said.
He urged parents to cultivate good relations, unity and cohesion among family members while they were still strong.
[DNK-International@July 18,2026]
