The millers have accused the government of being behind the recent rise in unga prices. [Photo/File]
Maize millers in the country have pointed an accusing finger at the government over the recent hike of maize flour.
The Millers say the government maize that was availed to them ran out of stock long ago, and consumers should be ready to be paying more for the precious commodity.
According to Cereal Millers Association Chief Executive Paloma Fernandes, who spoke to a local daily on Tuesday, the government started by reducing the subsidized maize they delivered to them.
“The Government made sure that allocation of subsidized maize to us was reduced,” said Paloma.
The Agriculture CS Willy Bett announced last week that the programme will be stopped, but that there was enough subsidized maize to last until mid this month.
However, the situation changed almost immediately in many areas, with retailers taking advantage to hike the prices almost immediately.
Kenyans are already feeling the pinch, with a packet of unga now retailing at an astronomical Sh150, almost double of the Sh90 it was retailing at.
Farmers have been complaining as well that they have not been paid, with many saying they will not deliver their produce to the NCPB.
Last week, farmers from Nakuru staged a protest, accusing the government of failing to pay them close to Sh300 million.