Eldoret farmer-politician Jackson Kibor is feuding with an agro-company after his 300-acre wheat crop was destroyed by weeds following the company's spraying with weed control chemicals.
Kibor said on Sunday he has lost as much as Sh15 million after the farm was choked by weeds. He blames improper application of chemicals.
Kibor said he expected to harvest more than 15 bags of wheat per acre at his Soy farm but he blames a local agricultural inputs company, Moiben Connections, for destroying his harvest.
The prominent farmer said he had officially complained to the company that sent officials to inspect his farm. He said they took no action to rectify the situation but it was already too late as weeds had destroyed the wheat.
“They have given me various reasons for the destruction including claims of heavy rains. But I can’t take that because I paid them fully after they advised me that what they had applied on the farm would control the weeds," Kibor said.
He demanded the company carry out fresh spraying at their own cost. He said they declined.
A source at the company told the Star that Kibor had been advised the weed control chemical is usually mixed with others for best effect but he declined and opted for one chemical only. Kibor denied the company had recommended multiple chemicals and he had refused.
It was the first time the weed killer had been applied to the land, he said.
The farmer said he will demand a satisfactory response from company and the manufacturer of the weed control chemical. Kibor owns more than 4,000 acres in North Rift where he mainly produces wheat and maize.
The octogenarian says it’s the first time in more than 30 years that his wheat has been destroyed in such a way.
"For now, I am at a loss but I will pursue the matter with the company to its logical conclusion," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
