Bungoma residents raise alarm over high price of maize imported from Uganda

Written by Daniel Saenyi

As Kenyans continue to feel the pinch of the high cost of living occasioned by the increase in prices of oil, allegations have emerged that businessmen and traders in the country are importing duty free maize from the neighbouring countries and selling it at high price to Kenyans.

As much as the maize is tax free, Kenyans are experiencing an increase in the maize prices daily. Previously, the price for 2 Kilograms of maize was Sh20 and now it has sky rocketed to Sh120 major towns in the country.

This has been largely attributed to the to the increase in fuel prices and this has led to higher cost of living all over the country and across the globe as a whole.

In Bungoma County, locals are complaining of the expensive lifestyles they are forced to lead due to the high cost of essential commodities and are accusing the government for hoarding maize.

They fear that this is an indication of lack of unity in implementing the new Constitution between the two principals which has cast doubt among the populace of Bungoma fearing that there will not be peace between the two principals and that it could be a path to total disunity across the country.

The Bungoma residents allege that maize is being imported from Uganda at a cheap prize but it is being sold to locals at an exorbitant price.

The Chairman of the parliamentary committee on Agriculture John Mututho attributed the looming maize shortage in the country to hoarding of the commodity by millers. He said there is enough maize in the country as a result of the bumper harvest witnessed last year.

On May 13, maize millers warned that the country was to experience a shortage in maize flour within 10 days, unless the government removes duty on imports of maize and farmers release the stocks they still hold.

Mr. John Mututho

Already the government has removed 50 percent import duty on maize and 10 percent on wheat sparking protest from wheat farmers who say the low prices amidst rising fuel prices has left them making losses. This has caused them to hoard the wheat hoping that the fuel prices will go down for them to make at least a profit from their sales.

There is need for the government to seek urgent measures that will ensure that the country has strategic reserves of fuel and food stock that can serve the country for at least 90 days. Such a move will greatly assist in stabilizing prices and cushion consumers from waking up to 'shock prices' as happens presently.

The fact that a vast majority of Kenyans rely on fuel is indisputable. But its price is still high. This will poke hole into the pockets of many Kenyans who are already struggling to survive.