Following the government’s decision to subsidize the price, maize flour will now retail for Sh100 starting today (Monday).
The Ministry of Agriculture will subsidize the price of maize flour produced and sold by millers for four weeks, according to an internal communication document signed by Agriculture PS Francis Owino.
A two-kg packet of maize flour will now cost Sh100 instead of Sh230.
“The recommended retail price of flour is should not exceed Sh100 for a 2kg packet, Sh250 for a 5kg packet and Sh490 for a 10kg packet.”
The document also states that the Ministry will send representatives to the miller’s premises and depots to verify proof of maize flour sales in the market.
Food and basic consumer goods prices have been rising in recent months, with the cost of some basic items reaching unprecedented highs.
Maize and wheat flour, sugar, cooking oil, tissue paper, milk, groceries, and bread are the most affected.
According to a survey released last week by the Infotrak research firm, 73% of Nairobi residents believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
The majority of those who held this opinion (81 percent) attributed their position to the high cost of living.
Kenya’s cost of living increased further in May as a result of high food and fuel prices, reaching 7.1 percent, up from 6.47 percent in April and 5.556 percent in March.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Consumer Price Index and Inflation data, the increase was primarily driven by an increase in commodity prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages basket (12.4 per cent).
