Caption: Maize flour on sale at a supermarket. /Star.co.ke
Effects of maize flour, which has increased to a high of Sh142 for a two-kg packet, will start being felt after one week when maize imports from Mexico start arriving, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett has said.
He said there is a possibility that a bag of maize which is currently going for Sh 4,500 could rise to Sh.5000.
“If this continues, the prices of maize flour will be pushed to a high of Sh150 or Sh160 for a two-kg packet. The waiver of duty on imported maize by the government will curb this," he said.
"Maize from Mexico is the cheapest in the market and it should help reduce the price of maize flour. We are also expecting imports from Ethiopia to start getting into the country soon through the Moyale boarder," Bett added.
Betty confirmed that Kenyans will not have to pay so much for a packet of maize flour, he, however, said it was too early to say by how much the prices of maize flour will reduce.
He said the ministry is in consultation with the millers and they will be monitoring the prices weekly to ensure they come down.
The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich on Thursday during his budget speech proposed to exempt bread and maize flour from VAT. He further removed duty on importation of maize for the next four months.
He said manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who sell such goods will be expected to reduce the prices of these basic commodities failure to which he will reverse the policy.
"This should see a reduction of prices for basic commodities which are enjoyed by majority of Kenyans," Rotich said.