In a bid to cushion Kenyans from the rising cost of maize flour, the government has announced a plan to waive 50 per cent of import duty on 5.5 million bags of yellow maize over the next year. The move, revealed on Friday by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, aims to ease pressure on the country’s limited white maize stock, which is primarily used for human consumption.
Addressing reporters in Nairobi, CS Kagwe noted that soaring demand and shrinking supply had triggered a sharp rise in maize prices, with a 90kg bag of maize now costing 26 per cent more than it did three months ago. This surge, he said, has forced millers to increase flour prices, burdening consumers.
“To address this, the government will gazette a 50 per cent duty waiver for the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize over one year,” said Kagwe.
The plan targets animal feed millers, who have increasingly turned to white maize due to shortages, intensifying competition with food millers. By redirecting feed manufacturers to yellow maize, the government hopes to free up white maize supplies and create more affordable conditions for food production.
“This will allow millers focused on human consumption to access available maize at fairer prices, ultimately leading to reduced production costs and more stable unga prices for consumers,” Kagwe added.
To allay public concern, the CS was quick to clarify that the yellow maize imports will not be genetically modified. “The imported yellow maize will be non-GMO,” he stated firmly.
Only certified animal feed manufacturers with proven capacity will be allowed to import the yellow maize, a move designed to prevent abuse and ensure the policy meets its intended purpose.
Beyond the short-term import strategy, the government is also urging farmers to consider growing yellow maize domestically to meet the annual demand of over 1 million metric tonnes in the animal feed industry.
“Local cultivation of yellow maize would help reduce dependency on imports and contribute positively to the economy,” said Kagwe.
The intervention follows a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), which highlighted a 2.9 per cent rise in maize flour prices between February and March this year. Other essential commodities that recorded price increases include kale, potatoes, beef, tomatoes, and even electricity and cooking gas.
With the cost of living continuing to pinch, the government’s maize import strategy is expected to offer some relief to consumers already grappling with rising food prices across the board.
