Deputy President William Ruto has said government will not allow importation of maize in order to protect local farmers.
Speaking at Ngariama during groundbreaking for Gatititu Tea Factory, Kirinyaga County, Ruto said there is enough maize in stock as he accused millers of seeking reasons to raise prices of flour.
He stated that the government will release 1 million bags of maize from the strategic grain reserve to mitigate any shortage.
He also encouraged tea farmers to explore value addition to make their produce marketable and reap maximum benefits.
“National Cereals and Produce Board stores have 10 million bags of maize and that is enough to feed our country. Millers should stop acting like cartels,” said Ruto.
He dismissed sentiments by Cereal Millers Association chairman, Nick Hutchinson, that there was unstable maize supply leading to high costs of flour by up to KES.15 in the past three months.
Hutchinson said cost of production of flour is increasing since manufacturers have reduced to 39 percent of capacity as maize shortage intensifies.
