Kenyans millers have warned that 335,000 bags of maize from Mexico are not enough to lower flour prices or to feed all Kenyans.
To try and bring down the cost of maize flour which is currently at $1.50 for a 2kg packet, the government has resorted to importing.
However, millers say the price of maize will remain high for the next two months. They add that they expect the cost to come down when the full shipment of imports from Mexico arrives.
Millers are purchasing the Mexican maize at prices between $35 and $50, which are lower when compared with the $47.50 in the local market.
The maize imports are intended to increase the maize stocks in the country and subsequently lower the price of maize flour.
Kenyans consume a total of three million bags monthly and the latest shipment can hardly last a week. Worse, it has been reported that manufactures and businessmen are taking advantage of the food shortages by hoarding food.
A long-term solution to permanently addressing the food crisis in the country would be a supplementary budget and improving the country's agriculture efficiency and production.
Image: The Star
