Kenyans can now breathe a sigh of relief after the government on Tuesday suspended all levies on maize imports and animal feed products.
Speaking at the Namanga border, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said, the new directive will be effective from 1st July for a period of three months.
“This initiative is aimed at lowering the cost of maize flour and animal feed in the country for the next 90 days before the next harvest.” the CS said.
The CS noted that the move will help ease the prices of maize meals to manageable levels for the Kenyans.
Munya revealed that renowned maize farmers in the country had stock-piled maize leading to a shortage that caused a shoot in prices.
“It is evident that some people have been hoarding maize to punish others. We will bring down all those levies to bring down the prices to affordable levels”
The Agriculture boss said the decision was reached after wide consultation with key stakeholders in the country.
He further added that the government had authorized other maize millers to import maize which is duty-free from the rest of the world for the next 90 days.
The move has also opened the way for over 200 trucks carrying maize from Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia which were stuck at the border of Kenya and Tanzania awaiting entry.
Currently, a 2-kg packet of maize flour retails at Ksh.200 and Ksh220.