The traders are risking a fine of sh1 million or a five-year term jail for selling maize flour over sh100. In the country, the commodity has been selling for over Ksh200 before the Treasury- backed subsidy that has now cut the prices by over half. Now the two kg packet is supposed to sell at Ksh100.
The high prices of maize flour in the country has caused headache with the commodity being the stable food in the country.
“Oversight committee shall be formed with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, National Treasury, Cereal Millers Association and Grain Millers Association to oversee the effective working and success of the subsidy program,” said the ministry in a document seen.
The prices however are not expected to drop immediately due to the existing stock.
“This is a good initiative but the price will take some days before it drops because of the expensive flour that is currently on the market,” said the official.
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Maize farmers in the country failed to produce enough maize because of poor weather due to climate change.
Kenya used to receive its maize from Uganda and Tanzania, but due ti the scarcity of the grain, Kenya has shifted to other countries.
In May, the Treasury opened a window to allow millers to import maize duty-free but the plan failed because of the high prices in the international market.
Not only maize prices increased but also other essential items like cooking oil, food, fuel and soap.
The hardships due to the high cost of living pushed Kenyans to the edge. Therefore they had to cut off the unnecessary expenditures like drinking and airtime.
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