Why Maize Flour Prices Have Not Dropped To Ksh100 Yet

Kenyans will have to wait longer to enjoy the new price of maize flour reduced to Ksh100 under the directive of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Talks between the Ministry and maize millers had failed to yield any fruit. According to a statement dated Tuesday, July 19, the Cereal Millers Association (CMA) revealed that talks were still ongoing with the State to determine the exact prices of maize flour.

The millers noted that they want a proper plan on how they will be compensated by the price cuts in the event they are affected.

A plate of fish and ugali. /FILE

"The CMA is consulting the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders on how best to reduce maize flour prices.

"Negotiations are at an advanced stage but no price has been set. We will advise all stakeholders on progress made towards achieving our goal of providing adequate, affordable and nutritious maize flour," CMA CEO Paloma Fernandes noted in part.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Peter Munya was however still committed to lowering the cost of maize flour to Ksh100 next week, assuring Kenyans that they were coming up with a framework that would see the directive come to fruition.

He denied claims that the subsidy program was politically instigated, adding that the government was prioritising the lowering of the cost of the most staple food in the country to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.

"This measure is meant to reduce the cost of maize coming to the country and ultimately reduce the cost of maize flour that is increasing.

"This is in addition to the directive where we allowed the millers to import maize that is duty-free from the rest of the world to reduce the cost of living," he added.

The CS added that they would collaborate with the millers to see the cost of a 2kg packet of maize flour for instance not go above Ksh100.

The clarity comes after Deputy President William Ruto termed the reduction of the cost of maize flour political, adding that the government must address the cost of living entirely.

"Let the cost of unga come down to Ksh100, even for free. But on August 9 we are sending these officials home so that they stop playing games with us in regards to the cost of food in Kenya," he said.

"The reason we have hunger in Kenya today is that we failed to implement the Big Four plan that had food security. It is because we removed the fertiliser subsidy from our farmers and that is why they cannot produce enough food...you cannot cure that problem by simple handouts of food for 20 days."