The prices have already been hiked, a week after CS Willy Bett said the subsidy on maize was over. [Photo/Star]
One week after the expiry of flour subsidies programme in Kenya; many retailers have already hiked the prices of that basic yet precious commodity, by at least Sh25.
Although many outlets have run out of stock for the Sh 90 2 kg of Unga, many supermarkets still have plenty of the subsidized flour.
Players have insisted there is no shortage of the commodity yet, with many outlets currently retailing at between Sh107 and Sh125.
The hike in prices was occasioned by the government ending subsidies on maize and its products, which was introduced by the government last year to control the soaring prices.
The retailers feel the cancellation of the subsidies by the government has led to the rush to the stalls by many Kenyans, who want to stock before the subsidized flour is off the stalls.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett last week said the Government-subsidized maize flour programme, which was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta last June, was scheduled to end last month.
“We’ve agreed that the subsidy programme will officially come to an end on December 31,” said Mr Bett in a press conference.
The situation can only get worse, with consumers forced to contend with not only high prices but also flour shortage.
Through the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek), they are now calling for urgent Government measures to save them from the prevailing high prices.
Cofek Secretary General Stephen Mutoro has blamed the Government and maize millers for the current situation.