Unga Has Dropped To Ksh175- Ruto Claims

President William Ruto has now claimed that the government's commitment to lowering the cost of living is working, citing how a 2-kilogram packet of maize flour (unga) is now selling at up to Ksh175.

The President spoke on Thursday, November 9 while giving the State of the Nation address at the Parliament Buildings, his second since assuming office on September 13, 2022.

Ruto explained that the move to reduce the cost of fertilizer to Ksh2,500 as well as step up maize production in the country led to the reduction in the cost of maize flour, however, he indicated that this was dependent on the brand one buys.

Side-by-side image of select Unga brands shared by Government Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed. /TWITTER.HUSSEIN MOHAMED

"We have reduced the cost of fertilizer from Ksh6,500 to Ksh2,500 and increased maize acreage under production by an extra 200,000 acres this year.

"As a result of these interventions, today a 2kg packet of maize flour is selling at a low of Ksh145 and a high of Ksh175 depending on the brand you buy, down from Ksh250 a few months ago," he said.

He underscored that the cost of living is a reality that can be addressed by households through effective measures.

"The cost of living is a reality experienced by households which can be addressed through practical action and effective measures. I am committed to put the shame of hunger behind us once and for all," he added.

Ruto further disclosed that the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical conflicts significantly raised inflation and interest rates adversely affecting the country's economy while low agricultural investment and a prolonged drought led to food shortages.

Amidst the intense criticism he has been receiving from Kenyans regarding the punitive tax measures worsening the cost of living, Ruto stated that it was time that the country stopped living lavishly at the expense of its capability.

"We must admit that as a country we had been living large and way beyond our means. The time has come to retire the false comforts and illusionary benefits of wasteful expenditure and counterproductive subsidies on consumption by which we dug ourselves deeper into the hole of avoidable debt," he urged.

Warning of tougher times ahead, Ruto added that his government was moving ever closer to service Kenya's pending debt including the Eurobond.

The Head of State announced that the country will be paying the first batch of the Eurobond loan worth Ksh500 billion in December.

"Next month in December we will be able to settle the first Kenya shillings; 300 million dollars or 500 billion Kshs installment of the US dollars 2 billion Eurobond debt that falls due next year. I can now confirm with confidence that we will and we shall pay the debt that has become a source of much concern to citizens, markets and our partners," he stated.

"The new direction may not be easy but it is ethical, responsible, prudent, and most importantly necessary. We have had to make hard decisions and make painful choices because we owe the people of Kenya to do the right things and to confront facts as they are."

President William Ruto addressing Parliament on September 29, 2022. /FILE