The problems facing the maize sector in the country seem to be escalating following the shutting down of some of the millers in the Rift Valley region.
A section of millers in Uasin Gishu County and other parts of the Rift Valley region which are known to be the main contributors of the country’s grain basket have been shut down due to lack of maize to run their operations.
Ineet, Ugali Leo, Equator and Buffalo millers are some of the companies whose operations have been paralysed by the maize shortage being witnessed in the country.
While speaking to Citizen TV, Eldoret-based Ineet miller's owner Kipng’etich Mutai said that farmers who still have the grain in their stores are not willing to sell them at the normal price.
“The challenge right now is that farmers do not have maize. The maize is too little and the few who have the grains want to sell them at high prices which we cannot buy, mill and sell (Tatizo sahii ni kuwa wakulima hawako na mahindi. Mahindi ni chache mno na wachache wenye wako nayo wanataka bei ya juu mno yenye hatuwezi kununua na kusaga na kupata watu)," said Mutai.
The government's plan to import 12.5 million bags of maize in order to curb the situation has been received with mixed reactions from farmers and leaders, thus further complicating the situation.