Maize millers imported 500,000 tonnes as of the end of last week, Agriculture Principal Secretary Kello Harsama confirmed yesterday. 

He explained that the maize value chains have only managed to bring into the country 35.7 per cent out of the 1.4 million tonnes (15.5 million bags) gazetted by the National Treasury and Planning last year to ease skyrocketing prices.

“Owing to the scarcity of the commodity in most global market segments, local millers have not been able to bring the expected quantities. They are still sourcing and especially since the current harvest from various regions within the country is yet to be gathered,” said Harsama.  

Despite the received quantities, prices of maize and flour in the country are still high, reducing consumers’ purchasing power. Farmers in Eastern, Central Kenya and South Rift Valley have started harvesting maize which is likely to surface in the market this month and thus will help in easing the prevailing food prices.

Also, there are inflows from some of the neighbouring countries, for instance, Tanzania and Uganda thus boosting local produce.