Cartels linked to NASA to blame for high maize, sugar prices – Kiunjuri

Devolution and Planning CS Mwangi Kiunjuri has launched a veiled attack on the Opposition, National Super Alliance (NASA), saying they are using the high prices of basic commodities in the country as a campaign tool yet their ‘friends’, cartels who export the commodities, are the ones responsible for the crisis.

The CS has now told NASA leaders to stop campaigning using the high prices of maize flour and sugar issues as the issue has been solved by the government importing maize form Mexico, Zambia, South Africa and Ethiopia.

“Who imports sugar and maize in this country? They are cartels at the coast who are friends to the Opposition. So they, NASA, should stop blackmailing the president because those cartels are responsible for controlling of prices,” said the CS.

Mr. Kiunjuri advised the Opposition to go back to the drawing board as their campaign agenda will soon be obsolete when the maize and sugar prices stabilise.

“Unga matters will not be your campaign agenda to woo voters. In fact, by next week, prepare to drop it because the problem would have already been solved by importing maize,” added Kiunjuri.

It is anticipated that the maize, imported duty free, will ease the retail prices of maize flour to below Ksh 115 for a two-kilogram packet from the current Ksh 160

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On May 13, a section of leaders in the Agricultural Committee raised questions about the duration taken to import maize from Mexico, hinting that the government could have been in cahoots with cartels.

“We want to know at what stage did the process of importing this maize from Mexico start. If it was imported by a private player, what previous information did he have that the rest of the country did not have?” said Ugunja MP, Opiyo Wandayi.

The committee now wants the government and the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Agriculture to come clean on the Mexican maize deal.