A vessel that imported maize from Mexico at the Mombasa Port, May 11, 2017. [Photo/Capital FM]
President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to make an announcement this week, following the ongoing alleged maize and maize flour (Unga) shortage.
This follows an importation of 29,900 metric tonnes of maize, from Mexico.
The Ministry of Agriculture defended itself, over the questionable manner in which the maize, was allegedly imported, last week.
Transport Principal Secretary (PS) Paul Mwangi said the Mexican white maize, was shipped through South Africa, since it was imported from Mexico last year when there was an acute shortage.Mwangi said excess maize was stored in Durban, and sold to Kenya by Inter Africa Grains PTY of Johannesburg.
Speaking at the Mombasa Port, Monday, Mwangi said: "The maize is therefore Mexican white maize which was transshipped into Kenya from South Africa by private milers.''
However, in a video seen by the Star, while he was in UK, last week, Uhuru defended the importation, saying there was an acute shortage of the commodity, hence the quick step.
He indicated the importation delayed, so as to protect local farmers, and to ensure the imports do not affect local maize.
"We are looking into interventions to cover the short fall. By next week (this week) you'll hear some of the announcements that I am going to make, so that I be able to deal with this, to open up for importation, because again, it's a chicken and egg,'' Uhuru said, in the video.
"...you import maize, farmers start to scream that you have imported cheap maize. So you have to wait until the very last minute when all available stocks have been exhausted," he added.
Uhuru was in UK, and later travelled to China, for official duties, and he is expected back in the country this week.
Kenyans have questioned the manner in which the imports were made, even as the Mexican Embassy denied selling maize to the Kenyan government.
It said it has been selling high quality non GMO white maize to private businessmen.
While receiving the ship at the Port, last week, Agriculture CS Willy Bett indicated the consignment was from Mexico, and that it was imported by the Ministry.