Kenyans will feel a pinch in their pockets after various millers across the country warned of a sharp increase in maize flour prices.
The millers under the United Grain Millers Association noted that they may soon be forced to hike the prices of maize flour.
Through their chair Ken Nyaga, they decried delayed payments since they supplied affordable maize under the subsidy programme that was launched during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.
Nyaga noted that the situation has frustrated several millers who were forced to shut down because they are unable to afford maize.
“Some small-scale millers have shut down, while others have slowed down on operations because they cannot afford to buy maize," Nyaga said.
“We are looking at a very hard time when we do not have money because this money is owned by the government expecting us to buy and bring the cost of flour down," he added.
Earlier this month, the National Assembly refused to acknowledge Ksh2.9 billion in arrears owed by the millers who supplied affordable Unga under the subsidy programme.
The Assembly opined that the exact quantity of maize flour supplied was not disclosed. A section of MPs in parliament unanimously agreed that the quantity supplied was unknown and subsequently asked for an audit to be conducted to determine the exact amount.
Uhuru's subsidy plan
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta launched stimulus measures to cushion citizens against the high cost of living on July 20, 2022.
As part of the measures, Uhuru announced the reduction of Unga prices following a deal brokered between the government and maize millers.
"This programme of a subsidy of approximately Ksh105 per 2kg pack of maize meal is meant to lower the cost of living for vulnerable households as we look for a sustainable solution to the recurrent rising prices of Unga," Uhuru stated.
The former Head of State made the announcement after meeting with millers at the State House.
"This moment requires us to act in unison in order to cushion the vulnerable in our society, as we continue to work out how to find sustainable means of dealing with this emerging trend.
"If my appeal to the millers is to practice a reasoned level of social ethics, my appeal to the political class is to exercise civic responsibility. To politicize the pain of the vulnerable without offering solutions is to mock the lifestyle of the same voters the politicians are appealing to," Uhuru added.
