Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has urged Kenyans to pay taxes, to save government officials from begging for aid in foreign nations.

Linturi argued that for the country to be self-reliant taxes need to be paid.

“Let me be asked we gave you money in the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock, how did you spend it? That is the question I would like to entertain and not whether you will pay taxes or not,” Linturi said.

The Agriculture CS added that he has had to ask for food aid in foreign nations, and sometimes, the request is denied.

 “When I go begging in Italy and India for rice and other things and I am told we are sorry we cannot give you because our country requires rice and since we do not have enough you go back home and when you go back home there is nothing your taking home people become very helpless. Please spare me that shame,” he stated.

Linturi argued that when Kenyans pay taxes, government will be able to develop rice schemes, and produce enough food for local consumption.

“I am happy to report that the country right now has enough maize for itself we are producing enough maize for ourselves We have been producing maize for one and a half years and that is something to be proud of we have increased our milk production and many other areas.”