I never rejected my new appointment, says Mutea Iringo

Newly appointed National Cereals and Produce Board chairman Mutea Iringo has pledged to ensure that Kenya sustains its food reserves.

The former powerful Interior Principal Secretary denied claims in the social media that he had rejected the appointment.

He said: “I thank the President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointing me and I’m eager to take up the position, and to realise the President’s agenda on food security.”

Food security is one of the four pillars the government is banking on to drive the economy. President Kenyatta made key parastatal appointments, including Mr Iringo’s, last week.

GRAIN RESERVE

NCPB – which procures, stores and maintains grain reserve stock on behalf of government – will also be key in helping realise the food security agenda in Mr Kenyatta’s legacy term.

Mr Iringo unsuccessfully ran for the Imenti North parliamentary seat in August 2017 General Election.

He was also picked by Jubilee party for a seat in the East Africa Legislative Assembly but the nomination was not approved by Parliament.  

FOOD SECURITY

NCPB is tasked with ensuring food security through procurement, management and distribution and sale of strategic food reserves stocks.

The board also procures and distributes subsidised fertiliser on behalf of the government, a move which has greatly increased yields in the country.

Mr Iringo replaced Geoffrey King’angi, a former aide-de-camp to retired president Mwai Kibaki, who is now Mbeere South MP.