Photo | courtesy.
The government has released 200,000 bags of maize from the National Strategic Grain Reserve (NSR) to maize millers in a move to stabilize flour prices in the country.
This comes amid rising concerns over the rising cost of flour staged by shortage of maize.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the consignment will be sold to millers at a subsidised rate of Sh4,250 per 90-kilogramme bag, as part of a move to curb price hikes. Kagwe said the millers wishing to be considered in the allocation must be tax compliant and meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) quality requirements.
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“The first batch will be distributed through select depots in North Rift and South Rift regions. To be considered for allocation, millers should indicate their milling capacity, recent certificate of incorporation, a tax compliance certificate and KEBS quality certificate,” Kagwe said.
He added that millers are expected to collect and mill immediately and begin distributing the flour.
“Upon payment for their maize allocations, all millers are expected to immediately collect their consignments, begin milling, and distribute the flour,” he said.
The CS said the subsidy is geared towards reducing flour prices. “The subsidy is expected to stabilize maize and maize flour prices, cushioning Kenyans from any price spikes,” Kagwe said.
However, concerns over its sustainability remain high since Kenyans consume 100,000 bags of maize everyday which means the 200,000 bags of maize from NSR will only last for two days.
The government’s move also comes barely a month after the ministry of agriculture okayed the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize in a bid to reduce demand for white maize by animal feed manufacturers. The decision was informed by competition witnessed between millers and feed manufacturers driving up the prices of maize.
