President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that a 2 kilogram packet of maize flour be sold at KSh 100 across the country effective immediately.
The Head of State noted that the directive shall be in place until directed otherwise.
Flanked by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and maize millers, Uhuru also suspended the Import Declaration Fee (IDF) for all imported maize.
The president explained that the pricea of maize flour soared up to KSh 200 for a 2 kilogram packet due to profit motives by maize millers.
For instance, he stated that in in July 2012, the price of a 2 kilogram packet of flour shot up from KSh 70 to KSh 130 while in May 2017, the price shot up to KSh 189.
“Every election in our country has attracted an Unga crisis and at times it seems to be engineered. There is an obvious trend between the manner with which the price of Unga goes up and the tempo is taken up during elections,” Uhuru stated
He asked maize millers to put their differences aside and work together for the sake of Kenyans who are grappling with the tough economic times.
“This moment requires us to act in unison in order to cushion the vulnerable in our society, as we continue to work out how to find sustainable means of dealing with this emerging trend,” Uhuru added.
Supermarket attendants sorting maize flour PHOTO/COURTESY
Earlier, Azimio One Kenya Alliance presidential aspirant Raila Odinga took full credit of reduced maize flour prices.
Speaking during campaigns in Nakuru on Tuesday, July 19, the former Prime Minister said he intervened to have prices of the basic commodity reduced.
Raila said he reached out to President Uhuru Kenyatta and asked him to cut maize flour prices in a bid to cushion Kenyans from the tough economic times.
“I talked to Uhuru and told him to reduce the Unga prices and you saw on Monday he reduced the prices. From today Unga is KSh 100 and are you not happy?
READ ALSO: August Poll Linked to Sharp Decline of Maize Flour Prices
“When I get into government we will reduce the high cost of living to alleviate suffering of Kenyans,” the ODM leader said.
Do you have a story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through [email protected] or call/SMS +254 731 469269
Recommended for you
