Kenyans should brace themselves for tough times ahead even as the price of maize flour continues to shoot through the roof.
The cost of the stable has gone up in various retail and wholesale outlets around the country, adding more pressure and burden to the public who are already struggling to meet the cost of other essential commodities such as sugar and cooking oil in the face of high inflation rates.
A two-kilogram packet of maize flour has now hit a high of 124 shillings from a low of 108 shillings last month, with millers attributing the rising cost of expensive maize.
“The sharp jump in the price of flour was occasioned by a steep rise in the cost of maize, from a low of 2,600 shillings to the current price because of the scarcity that was there in the market,” Capwell Industries chief executive Rajan Shah said.
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On January 4, 2022, the millers explained that there was an increasing demand for the commodity after the festive season adding that this was likely to hike the prices.
“In December there is normally lower demand for maize flour as households turn to other foods consume more of other goods other than maize flour, Unga Millers Association chairperson, Ken Nyaga stated.
Further reports of shortage of maize in Trans-Nzoia County, which is one of the leading counties in maize production in the country also caused a shortage in the market hence increased prices.
The price of maize, which has been steadily rising since December, has now hit a high of 3,500 shillings for a 90-kg bag when delivered to millers in Nairobi from a low of 2,300 shillings in early December, impacting negatively on the cost of flour.
The prices are set to continue rising to a high of 130 shillings from the current 124 shillings for the 2Kg packet.