Written by Lisa Nyambura
Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda has submitted a proposal to amend the Price Control (Essential Goods) Act of 2011, seeking to give the Treasury Cabinet Secretary the authority to regulate the prices of basic commodities.
The proposed changes aim to stabilize the cost of essential household items, such as maize flour, sugar, rice, cooking oil, and fat, to protect low-income Kenyans from exploitation.
Mutinda argues that the law will prevent consumers from facing exorbitant prices.
“We need to protect the consumers. At times, you find the price is too exorbitant,” she said.
The Bill would also allow the Cabinet Secretary to declare any goods as essential from time to time.
While the proposal is based on making essentials more affordable, economists and industry experts have raised concerns.
Steven Mutoro, Secretary General of the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), warned that the Bill might distort market forces of supply and demand.
He emphasized that price controls could discourage investors and lead to job losses in the manufacturing sector.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the Retail Trade Association of Kenya echoed these concerns, advising the government to focus on reducing taxes and improving the business environment to lower commodity prices without over-regulating the market.
