By George Munene
The government has suspended all levies on maize and animal feed imports as of 1st July, this year. This initiative is aimed at lowering the cost of maize, flour, and animal feed in the country for three months before the next maize harvest.
Duty-free access to the Kenyan market will allow millers and animal feed manufacturers to cut down their costs of production.
The cost of a 90-kilogram bag of maize has risen from Sh2800 at the start of the year to Sh6,500.
Maize is the main component of both flour, which has more than doubled from the start of the year hitting a record Sh200 to 220 across different parts of the country, and animal feeds which have been on a similar upward trajectory.
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“This move opens the way for over 200 trucks stuck at the Kenya-Tanzania border to enter the country carrying maize from Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. We want to assure the public that we are working day and night to ensure that the cost of unga comes down,” said Agriculture CS Munya at the Namanga border.
He further warned farmers and cartels hoarding maize – holding the country at ransom, not to complain once-affordable maize hits the stores.