The government will allow millers and traders to import 1.5 million metric tonnes of duty-free maize from February to August 2023.
State Department for Crop Development Principal Secretary Kello Harsama said the government will import a total of 900,000 metric tons of maize and 600,000 metric tonnes of rice to bridge the food deficit in the country.
“An Import Duty Waiver will be granted for millers and traders to import a total of 900,000 metric tons of white maize grain and 600,000 metric tons of milled rice from February 2023 to August 2023 to enable the Country to have adequate stocks to last until next harvest from July- August 2023,” said Harsama.
Each maize consignment arriving in the country will have to comply with requirements such as having a moisture content not exceeding 13.5 percent as provided under the laws of Kenya. similarly, the aflatoxin levels must be below ten parts per billion (ppb) as per Kenyan standards.
Harsama noted that milled rice shall be grade 1 which is dried mature grains of edible Oryza species, be clean, wholesome, and uniform in size, color, and shape and be safe and suitable for human consumption.
“Shall be free from abnormal flavors, musty, sour or other undesirable odor, obnoxious smell and discoloration and also shall be free from micro-organisms and substances originating from micro-organisms, fungi or other poisonous substances in amounts that may constitute a hazard to human health,” he said.
Agriculture cabinet secretary Mithika Linturi earlier said the country imports four to six million bags of maize annually with Most of the maize being imported by the private sector and relief agencies.
All interested millers and dealers have been urged to submit their registration information within 15 days to the Head/Supply Chain Management Services, Kilimo House.
The imports will help ease the ever-escalating price of maize occasioned by persistent drought in the country. The devastating effects of drought have seen the price of grain record a historic high adding pressure on the cost of maize flour which is the main meal in many households.
A 90-kg bag of maize has hit 6,000 shillings from 5,000 shillings last month despite harvesting. This is the first time in Kenya that the wholesale price of maize has crossed the 6,000 shillings mark. This has consequently been passed to maize flour with a 2-kg packet going for 190 shillings with the premium brands selling at around 240 shillings.
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