Kenya Cereals and Produce Board manager, Nyansiongo branch, Teddy Onyango has blamed brokers for hiking Maize price in the region.
Speaking on Thursday at Nyansiongo Town Onyango said brokers have manipulated original market prices since the produce board was selling 90Kg bag at Sh5,800 which translates to Sh64 for 2Kg tin.
This comes moments after consumers threatened to storm into the Board’s offices due to what they called 'exploitation' since they were buying 2Kg tin at Sh100 which is expensive for them.
But Onyango raised an alarm and asked consumers to identify the unscrupulous traders and report them to his office for action.
“This is a government store and we have to go with agreed prices countrywide. We normally buy and sell at cheaper rates which a common citizen can afford hence those allegations are very strange to me,” said Onyango.
“From my perspective, you are supposed to buy the 2kg tin at around Sh70 and not the Sh100 that I am hearing. Please report those extortionists so that an action is taken against them,” notes Onyango.
He however, asked locals to store their food well to combat hunger that has threatened many households in the region in the past.
“It is important that when you harvest, you practice good storage methods. Food security is essential and we must take it seriously,” advised Onyango.