Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has said he would incur a loss from his maize crop due to the high cost of inputs.
Taking to his Facebook page, Gachagua said after inspecting his crops and doing the calculations he concluded he won't make any profits due to exorbitant fertiliser prices.
The legislator said the Di-ammonium Phosphate is Sh5,200, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, used for top dressing, is Sh4,200 while urea is Sh6,000.
He termed the prices as the highest in his 30 years of farming.
The MP said tea farmers from Kagochi factory were paid the lowest bonus ever of Sh18.
“I am happy that being in the village I will get milk from my neighbours at Sh40 per litre,” he said.
“While in Nairobi the biggest milk broker would have bought the same milk at Sh40, transport to Nairobi, and add a few preservatives and sell it at Sh120 per litre.”
Gachagua said he was thinking of early retirement and relocating to the village to escape such exploitative brokers
However, his sentiments seemed to have irked netizens who questioned his sincerity and demanded to know what role he has played, as a parliamentarian, to help bring the production cost down.
Many termed his post on Sunday as ironic.
It has since attracted close to 2,000 comments, 70 shares and 4,000 likes.
The MP had written that he had nothing to celebrate.
John Kibe questioned the MP’s contribution on the matter.
Njoroge Nderitu said the MP should have presented the grievance in parliament instead of joining Kenyans in complaining on social media.
“The electorates are crying for their leader to intervene in their problems, their leader is here crying louder than them,” Wachiuri Mwangi wrote.
Joe Mithamo said the people of Mathira elected the lawmaker to represent them in parliament but not to lament on social media.
“As usual you have been busy campaigning and have no time to go to parliament,” he wrote.
“Tell us how many times you’ve raised the fertiliser question in parliament. That’s what we elected you to do. The rest of us can post on Facebook but you are just seeking attention,” Waithira Maruru wrote.
However, Jackson Muriuki defended the MP, who he said was putting himself in the situation of a common Kenyan.
He said those throwing barbs at the MP should read and understand his message.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
