The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has approved the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize.
This move, announced by Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, is intended to reduce pressure on dwindling white maize stocks, which have driven unga (maize flour) prices to a 13-month high.
The government will offer a 50 percent duty waiver on yellow maize imports over the next year, targeting animal feed millers to divert demand away from white maize used for human consumption.
“The objective is to reduce pressure on local white maize stocks by shifting animal feed millers to yellow maize. This will allow millers focused on human consumption to access available maize at fairer prices,” said CS Kagwe.
A ship carrying over 42,000 tonnes of yellow maize is expected to dock in Mombasa soon. The imports, CS Kagwe emphasized, will be strictly non-GMO.
Prices of maize have risen by about 26 percent since December, with a 90-kg bag currently fetching premium prices.
Consequently, a 2-kg packet of maize flour is retailing at Sh165.05, up nearly 3 percent from February.
The Cereal Millers Association blamed the sharp price hike on limited local supplies, increased competition between feed and flour millers, and speculative practices by traders.
While the move is expected to stabilize prices, experts warn that maize and flour costs may remain high due to strong demand.
Food policy analyst Dr Timothy Njagi noted that while local farmers benefit from price protections, consumers continue to feel the financial strain.
The Ministry is also set to release maize from the National Food Reserve and is urging farmers to diversify into yellow maize cultivation to meet rising demand from the feed industry.
