Unga prices dropping in 10 days as first maize imports arrive

The government has assured the population of a significant reduction in unga prices as the first maize imports arrives.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi on Wednesday told a parliamentary committee they have activated all mechanisms to ensure no Kenyan dies of hunger.

The CS was appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock chaired by Tigania West MP John Mutunga.

He confirmed the country has received the first batch of maize and rice imports, which he said will go a long way in addressing the existing deficit.

The CS said 1,305 billion metric tonnes of maize and 43,123 billion metric tonnes of rice docked in the country on Wednesday.

“In another 10 days we will have flooded this country with enough maize and rice. I want to assure you that no Kenya will die of hunger,” Linturi said.

“We ask farmers if there is anything they are hoarding, let them release it to the market because prices will crash.”

The development is a huge relief to Kenyans who are grappling with the high cost of the maize flour in retail shops.

The price of the staple food has shot up to Sh170 to Sh200 for a 2kg packet.

The government had planned to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of maize and  1.1 million tones of rice to bridge the food gap.

The ministry is also issuing permits for importation of 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize and 250,000 tonnes of soya beans — the two will serve as animal feed to reduce pressure on maize flour.

Initially, the government had planned to import 900,000 metric tonnes of duty-free maize and 600,000 metric tonnes of rice but this was adjusted upwards to match the prevailing deficit.

The minister also cautioned against over-reliance on maize, saying Kenyans should consider other food products, including rice as a substitute to the staple maize.

“The food deficit in this country is too huge that we all have a responsibility to work day and night to ensure food for us. The sad story is that maize is so rare that we cannot get enough maize so tell your constituents that rice can be a substitute starch,” he told MPs.

Linturi was responding to a question by Nyando MP Jared Okello who sought clarification on the country’s food status following reports that there was a global scarcity of maize.

“Could the Cabinet Secretary explain the status of food situation in the country?” Okello asked.

The CS was appraising the committee of the maize flour subsidy programme introduced by the former regime in the run-up to the last year’s general election and the renewed push to create Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund.

(Edited by V. Graham)