The Mt Kenya Times 
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- First, the country was reeling from devastating effects of drought and famine, rated as the worst in 40 years. For the first time, we even have raise money to feed wild animals in national parks and sanctuaries.
- Just like other countries across the world, Kenya would also not escape the pain of Russian-Ukraine war.
- Having been the main exporters of wheat, fertilizers and farm machinery, the sanctions imposed caused disruptions and led to acute shortage of these essential commodities.
- For now, there is only one reason why the government has been reaching out to these millers and holding talks with its proprietors. The state has opened the window for them by allowing them to import the duty free maize. This means the cost of the importation is low. This should trickle down to the consumers.
A few days ago, President William Ruto announced that the prices of the 2kg packet of maize flour will come in one week.
He said this is after a big ship carrying maize dock at Port of Mombasa.
When I assumed the power, the cost of Unga stood at Sh230.
Then, the handshake government was at the helm of power and the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga was a core principal.
So, I would expect Raila to be the last person to lecture me on how to reduce the high cost of living and capitalize on this to hit at my government.
Yes, during the electioneering period I promised millions of hustlers that I will address this challenge.
But I’m sure many would agree with me that this is not an issue that we could have been tackled immediately.
First, the country was reeling from devastating effects of drought and famine, rated as the worst in 40 years. For the first time, we even have raise money to feed wild animals in national parks and sanctuaries.
Just like other countries across the world, Kenya would also not escape the pain of Russian-Ukraine war.
Having been the main exporters of wheat, fertilizers and farm machinery, the sanctions imposed caused disruptions and led to acute shortage of these essential commodities.
Secondly, the cost of farming inputs was all-time high.
Majority of farmers could not afford to buy certified brands of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and herbicides.
It is worth to recall a 50kg bag of fertilizer was selling at Sh6,500 during the reign of the handshake government.
If elected, Dr Ruto pledged to reduce the price to Sh3,500.
He kept his word as this was the first executive order he issued after taking the oath of office.
The fertilizers were imported and supplied to the farmers.
So, farmers were well prepared by the time when the planting season started.
Well, it will take some months before the maize and other crops got mature and are harvested.
But once this happens, Dr Ruto is optimistic the talk of hunger will become a thing of the past. The price of Unga will drop to Sh100.
After Ruto promised recently the price will come down to Sh150 per 2kg packet of Unga, a section of the mainstream media conducted a fact-check after one week lapsed.
According to the stories they aired and published, the president’s pledge had not taken not effect. This is because the costs of various brands were varied. The retail price of the cheap ones stood at Sh160.
The prices of other brands ranged from Sh170 to Sh180.
To me, this was a big drop and we know the prices started dropping immediately after Ruto assumed power.
The same packet of Unga was retailing at Sh230 and this time the subsidy programme was in place.
Ruto removed the subsidies on maize, fuel and electricity. He termed them as conduit of corruption and hence had serious negative impact on our economy.
Well, we must bear this in mind. Kenya is a free market economy. This means the government has no legal mandate to impose a flat rate price on various brands of Unga perse.
The flour is made by private millers. So, you would expect them to sell the brands in different prices.
For now, there is only one reason why the government has been reaching out to these millers and holding talks with its proprietors. The state has opened the window for them by allowing them to import the duty free maize. This means the cost of the importation is low. This should trickle down to the consumers.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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