Maize. A consignment from Mexico has arrived at the Mombasa Port. [Photo: dapa.ciat.cgiar.org]
It’s finally a sigh of relief for Kenyans as the first MV IVS Pinehurst ferry from Mexico carrying 30,000 bags of imported maize arrived at the Mombasa port earlier today.
Many Kenyans who are experiencing the painful pinch on the high cost of living can now expect more maize flour on their shelves with five million bags projected to arrive later into the country.
Although it’s not yet clear how much longer the price of a packet of maize meal will remain high, the arrival of the maize brings an array of hope for a better tomorrow.
The duty-free import is intended to address the biting shortage of Unga that is being felt across the country due to a major shortage of maize.
More maize is expected to arrive until the month of July from Zambia and Ethiopia giving the country a little more time to prepare a while longer.
The government is putting strides to ensure that the current situation of maize outage is put to check, beside the waiver of import duty on maize the government has also proposed a Supplementary Budget, which is before the National Assembly, to address the sharp increase of maize and other food prices including sugar and milk.