The Principal Secretary of the State Department for crop development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mr. Kello Harsama, assures Kenyans of reduced maize flour prices starting next week after fruitful discussions with stakeholders.
With the harvest season underway, the timing of this announcement is crucial, given the anticipated surplus in produce. PS Harsama announced yesterday that the price of maize flour (unga) would witness a significant decrease.
“In a meeting with members of United Grain Millers Association today, we have noted that by next week, prices of maize and unga will reduce significantly,” Harsama stated.
The declaration comes amidst the three-day demonstrations initiated by the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition to protest the government’s failure to address the soaring cost of living in the country.
Previously, the government attempted to address the high unga prices, Kenya’s staple food, by introducing specific price ranges (between Sh150 and Sh200) for various brands of 2kg maize flour packets when the commodity’s retail price was Sh230 and above.
Despite these measures, the Azimio la Umoja Coalition insists on a reduction to Sh100, the original price before inflation and hoarding escalated costs. The opposition highlights the plight of millions of Kenyans living below the poverty line, struggling to afford basic food items.
The government’s ability to implement and maintain reduced unga prices remains to be seen amid the ongoing demonstrations and public pressure.