UGALI POLITICS: Gov’t importing maize daily to address shortage – CS Bett

Kenyans are calling on the government to distribute more of the subsidized maize flour to supermarkets and shops so as to alleviate the growing threat of hunger.

A spot check by Citizen Digital in various shops and supermarkets in Nairobi revealed that the maize crisis is still escalating with some supermarkets only stocking wheat flour while others have concealed the government of Kenya subsidy stamp with their stickers.

But the government through Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS), Willy Bett, has remained adamant that they have given enough maize to millers to cater for the month of May and that the question of inadequate maize flour should be directed to millers.

According to Bett, 500,000 metric tons of 90kg bags of maize will be received from Mexico on May 26 and another consignment, still from Mexico, will be received on June 15 to cater for the month of June.

“As I speak, 1,200 metric tons of maize enter Kenya in lorries on a daily basis through the Moyale route. 1,500 tons of maize is also received on a daily basis from Ethiopia,” CS Willy Bett told Citizen Digital.

Residents in Eastlands areas of Kayole, Dandora, Kariobangi, and Donholm say that they are yet to benefit from the subsidized maize flour as they are not in the shelves of supermarkets and shops within their reach.

On their part, the millers have defended themselves saying that it takes time to feel a supply chain and that is why some parts of the country have not yet received the subsidized maize flour.

“Demand is tough to meet and we need approximately a week to be able to distribute this commodity to each and every corner of the country,” Cereal Millers Association (CMA) Chairman, Nick Hutchinson, told Citizen Digital.