Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has put maize traders on notice, giving them 30 days to release withheld stocks or risk government intervention through duty-free imports.
Speaking during a visit to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, Kagwe said the State is ready to open the import window if hoarding continues to disrupt supply and push up the price of maize flour. He maintained, however, that the government’s preferred option is to buy directly from Kenyan farmers to build up the National Strategic Food Reserve.
Kagwe revealed that the government has set aside Sh1.7 billion to purchase maize at Sh4,000 per 90-kilogramme bag, but deliveries remain far below expectations. Only 186,000 bags have been supplied so far, a gap he blamed on speculative hoarding even as early signs of drought begin to show in some regions.
“We have the money and we are ready to buy. Anyone being told to wait should alert us immediately. Our responsibility is to secure food reserves and protect the country from shortages,” he said, warning that imports would be unavoidable if local stocks are not released in time.
To tackle grain spoilage and food safety concerns, Kagwe announced a reorganisation of the government’s maize drying programme. More than 60 mobile and fixed dryers will be withdrawn from low-production areas and redeployed to cooperatives, major farming zones, and organised farmer groups where output is higher.
He noted that improper drying contributes to aflatoxin contamination, describing it as a serious public health risk and a waste of public resources when equipment is stationed in regions with minimal harvests.
The CS also highlighted the impact of the fertiliser subsidy programme, saying maize output surged following the distribution of 9.1 million bags of fertiliser during the 2025 season. He attributed the gains to both the subsidy and favourable rainfall across key maize-growing regions, including the Rift Valley, Eastern and Central Kenya.
To improve access for farmers, Kagwe announced that county governments will now oversee the registration of agro-dealers, allowing subsidised fertiliser to reach farmers more efficiently at the local level.
