Families will have to tighten their belts as maize flour prices are expected to rise further from the current Kes 200 for a 2kg packet after a waiver on charges and fees on imported maize expired on Friday.
The 90-day waiver that has been in place since July 1 was effected to control maize flour prices after they shot to Sh225 just a month before the elections.
“The gazette notice No.7499 directive for waiver of fees and charges for maize with effect from July 1 to September 30 refers. Please note that the waiver period will lapse on September 30. You are hereby advised to resume charges for maize and animal feeds from October 1,” Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) managing director Theophilus Mutui in an internal memo.
Outgoing Agriculture cabinet secretary Peter Munya gazetted the waiver in early July as the government tried to control a rise in maize flour prices that had left households spending an average of Sh225 for a 2kg packet of flour.
Millers now say with the resumption of the charges – despite expected poor harvests in the country due to poor rains that have hit agricultural productivity – they may not have an option but to increase prices further.
Read also; Govt Extends Duty-Free Maize Imports by 2 Months.
