Why Did You Let Kenyans Suffer?: Ruto Castigates Gov’t on Unga Prices

Deputy President William Ruto has questioned the government’s move to reduce the prices of maize flour ahead of the August 9th general elections.

On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative announced a four-week subsidy that will see the price of a two-kilogram packet go down from an all-time high of Sh230 to Sh100. A 50-kilogram bag of unga will now retain at 2,250 Sh440 for 10kg, Sh250 for 5kg, Sh52 for a 1kg packet, and Sh30 for 500 grams.

“The Ministry of Agriculture shall subsidize the price of maize flour being produced/sold by the miller for a period of four (4) weeks from the date of this contract,” reads part of the agreement the ministry inked with maize millers.

The Ministry of Agriculture will also deploy market surveillance teams to ensure that sifted maize flour is sold at the maximum recommended retail price stated. 

Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency on a UDA party ticket, downplayed the move to reduce unga prices three weeks to the general elections, terming it a plot to hoodwink Kenyans into voting for his competitor.

"When we told them that they have spoilt the plan to increase food production they started blaming the war in Ukraine. Now they say that they are lowering maize prices because there is an election in August. Why did you leave Kenyans to suffer?" Ruto posed during a campaign rally in Kamkunji, Nairobi.

While expressing confidence that he will win the upcoming elections, Ruto stated that the action would not sway Kenyans into changing their decisions on the ballot. 

"Kenyans have already decided… whether you lower the prices or not you will go home on August 9th," Ruto stated.