Reprieve for Kenyans as maize flour prices drop

Kenyans can now breathe easy after the government announced a drop in maize flour prices.

According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich, the price of a 2kg packet of maize flour will go down to Ksh 115 within seven days from the current retail price of Ksh 153.

CS Rotich says the move will bring down the cost of living since most Kenyans rely on the maize flour as their staple food.

The high cost of the flour has been linked to the biting maize shortage in the country that has led to a low supply despite the high demand of the commodity.

CS Rotich, who was speaking after a meeting with millers from across the country, said the national budget initiatives he read last week in Parliament aimed at lowering food prices take effect immediately, and that this will see food prices lower marginally to ease Kenyans’ pain.

The CS, who was flanked by Agriculture CS Willy Bett, also said order on importation of cheaper maize from Mexico and Ethiopia will be gazetted immediately and will land in the country in a month’s time.

Rotich added that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will also release one million bags of maize to millers from its strategic reserves to further ease prices.