Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett has attributed the prolonged drought in the country for the increased flour prices in the country.
According to Bett, the drought reduced the amount of maize production in the country that has subsequently led to farmers, traders and millers holding back large numbers of bags of maize from the market.
"The prolonged drought in the country is to blame for the high flour prices in the country. The drought has led to farmers, traders and millers holding back large numbers of bags of maize," said Bett.
The CS further said that the lack of in-flow of maize from the neighboring Uganda and Tanzania is also to blame for the high flour prices.
Bett reiterated that the drought also affected Uganda and Tanzania that led to the countries banning export of maize to other countries like Kenya.
"This drought also affected Uganda and Tanzania. Subsequently, the two countries banned the export of their maize leading to the lack of import that would have helped alleviate the flour prices in the country," added Bett.
Bett made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee on Thursday.
[Agriculture CS Willy Bett. Photo/the-star]