NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 22 – President William Ruto on Saturday announced that his administration would further reduce the prices of maize flour in the week beginning April 24, 2023.
President Ruto who spoke in Meru County during a developmental tour noted that his administration was well on the course in reducing the high cost of living.
He however did not disclose the actual extent to which the commodity prices would decrease only hinting that it will cost lower than Sh150.
“I am happy to report that the journey to lower the high cost of living has begun,” he said.
President Ruto emphasized his determination to make life bearable for the millions of Kenyans who struggle to feed their families.
“My administration will deal with this issue of hunger completely,” he said.
Through State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, the government announced on April 17, 2023, that the cost of a two-kilogram packet of maize flour had dropped to Sh159.
The announcement caused excitement among Kenyans who are loyal consumers of unga.
However, they later discovered that the prices of their preferred unga brands had not changed, which shortened their excitement.
A spot check by Capital News on most supermarkets across Nairobi revealed that only one brand of maize flour known as Umi is retailing at Sh159.
The government had in December 2022 opened the window for millers to import maize duty-free in its long-term pursuit to lower the prices of the commodity.
To alleviate the soaring cost of flour that has persisted for the past several months, with a two-kilo packet costing an average of Sh230, the government initiated the importation of at least 10 million bags of maize starting February 6, 2023.
