Kisii: The cost of maize flour in Kisii has continued to rise despite the government’s assurance that they will release maize to millers to help stabilize the prices. A spot check by KNA in different stores and supermarkets across Kisii town revealed that the price of a two-kilogram packet of maize flour was retailing at an average of Sh. 165 to Sh. 200, up from Sh. 100 to Sh. 150 between January and mid-April this year.
According to Kenya News Agency, at Quick Mart supermarket, a two-kilogram packet of Hostess maize flour is retailing at Sh. 184 while that of Amara is being sold at Sh. 187. At the neighbouring Naivas supermarket, a two-kilogram packet of Hostess maize flour is retailing at Sh. 190, Ajab at Sh. 165, and Raha at Sh. 209. At Guardmart supermarket, a two-kilogram packet of Jogoo maize flour is being sold at Sh. 165, Soko at Sh. 167, and Amaize is retailing at Sh. 208. Similarly, two kilograms of Jogoo and Soko maize flour at Shivling supermarket are retailing at Sh. 165 and Sh. 167 respectively, while Ajab is being sold at Sh. 164.
Emmaculate Chelagat, a sales attendant at Quick Mart, noted an increase in the prices of maize flour over the last few weeks. “Last month, the price of a two-kilogram grade one packet of maize flour was retailing at an average of Sh. 145, but now it is retailing at an average of Sh. 165 to 187 here at our supermarket,” stated Chelagat.
A 90-kilogram bag of maize is currently selling at Sh. 4,200, up from Sh. 3,500 in January. Speaking to consumers in Kisii town, most of them affirmed that the hike in the price of maize had greatly contributed to the increase in the price of maize flour in retail outlets. “Currently, a bag of maize is being sold at around Sh. 4,200 to 4,300 and for that reason, the price of maize flour can’t drop anytime soon,” noted Beatrice Nyaboke, a trader selling maize within town. Nyaboke called on the government to urgently intervene and make maize available to the millers so that the prices do not skyrocket further.
Last week, while speaking at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) at the UN offices in Nairobi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe dismissed claims that maize and, consequently, maize flour prices were going to increase further. He said the government will release maize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) strategic reserves to millers to ensure the price of maize does not go up.