The KNTC can not retailer meals crops in warehouses as a result of they’re leaking and in a deplorable state. FILE PHOTO | POOL

The Kenya Nationwide Buying and selling Company (KNTC) can not retailer meals crops in warehouses as a result of they’re leaking and in a deplorable state, a parliamentary crew has been advised.

KNTC advised Parliament that the company has 10 warehouses that are in disrepair.

KNTC mentioned its warehouses in Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru are leaking and that it had been pressured to hire non-public go-downs to maintain the subsidised fertiliser and different meals commodities.

Purity Kimathi, a normal supervisor advised MPs that KNTC warehouses land in Kapsabet and Loita Avenue have court docket instances. It additionally has warehouses and land in Kericho, Nanyuki and Naivasha that are dilapidated.

KNTC, in 2020, acquired an extra mandate to undertake mopping up, warehousing and distribution of domestically grown rice to the disciplined forces, authorities establishments and most people beneath the Purchase Kenya-Construct Kenya technique.

The company additionally has the mandate to advertise wholesale and retail commerce by the distribution of important commodities inside the nation with flagship merchandise together with fertiliser, rice, assorted farm implements, and {hardware} amongst different normal provides.

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“We’ve ten warehouses that are all dilapidated. Some have asbestos roofing, leaking roofs and others in a poor state which aren’t match for meals storage,” Ms Kimathi advised MPs throughout the scrutiny of the Supplementary Finances NO 1 of 2022/23.

“We’ve been pressured to lease warehouses in locations like Mombasa and Nakuru when now we have our personal.

Asbestos was banned by the nationwide authorities in 2006 however most buildings proceed to have harmful roofing supplies which might be alleged to trigger most cancers.

Ms Kimathi requested MPs to extend the price range for renovating the ten warehouses arguing the Sh110 million that the Treasury has allotted within the mini-budget is a drop within the ocean.

“We have to renovate all our warehouses which we use to retailer aid meals, meals procured to be used by our armed forces, police, prisons and faculties together with college, secondary and first,” Ms Kimathi mentioned.

Ms Kimathi mentioned KNTC sought Sh90 million to restore Karatina and different warehouses however solely acquired Sh20 million within the present price range.

She mentioned the company spent its internally generated revenues to restore the Kisumu warehouse which it makes use of to retailer rice and different important commodities.

“This morning I used to be struggling to order the acquisition of polythene luggage to cowl the fertiliser subsidy in our leaking warehouse in Nakuru to forestall them from crystalising,” she advised the committee chaired by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya.

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Ms Mutua advised MPs final yr that the KNTC acquired Sh660 million within the final monetary yr to purchase rice from Mwea and Kisumu and distribute it to authorities establishments at subsidised charges.

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