Maize Flour Prices to Drop as Government Suspends Taxes on Imported Maize

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has given a directive that all taxes and levies on imported maize will be suspended to offer relief to consumers who have been grappling with hiked prices of maize flour in the country.

“We (the government) are looking for ways of addressing the cost of maize which has affected every home in the country. Maize is the staple food in the country.

“This directive will take effect in the next two days once it has been published and gazetted by the government”, Stated Munya.

According to the CS, the directives set to reduce the soaring maize flour prices a few weeks from now will cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living.

Kenyans have been paying between 200 to 250 shillings for a 2-kilogram packet of maize flour across the major shopping outlets and retail shops.

The CS stated that the suspension will last for three months s the government dives to find a permanent solution to curb the high cost of living in the country.

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He, however, noted that during the 90 days, only authorized dealers will be allowed to import duty-free maize, giving a stun warning to those who have been hoarding the commodity.

“We are tracking down individuals believed to have hoarded maize, and they will be punished according to the law.

“Those unscrupulous agents should brace themselves for price reduction and should not complain nor find ways to circumvent our order,” Munya said.

The maize import plan was authorized by the National Treasury In May 2022 and is expected to curb the current shortage.

“In consequence of the notification of an impending maize crisis in the country by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock Fisheries and Co-operatives, a waiver of import duty has been granted for the importation of not more than 540,000 metric tons of white non-genetically-modified organism (GMO) maize grain.

“The waiver of import duty shall apply to white non-GMO maize imported into Kenya on or before August 6, 2022,” Read part of Yatani’s statement.