President Uhuru Announces Reduction in Unga Prices from Sh205 to Sh100

President Kenyatta has announced that a two-kilogram packet of maize flour will retail at Sh100 down from an average of Sh205, effective immediately until further notice.

Addressing the nation following talks with maize millers at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, the president said the move is part of the government's stimulus program aimed at cushioning Kenyans against the current high cost of living

“I note with regret that the cost of a 2 kg pack of maize-meal remains out of reach for many, as it is currently retailing at an average of Sh205. As a consequence of this continued escalation in food prices, I today announce Fiscal Measures focused on food subsidy, as our Fifth Stimulus Programme covering the supply and distribution of our nation’s staple food–maize meal, across the entire country,” said Kenyatta.

Kenyatta announced the suspension of the Railway Development Levy (RDL) and the Importation Declaration Fee (IDF) on all imported maize into the country.

"This programme of a subsidy of Sh105 per 2kg pack of maize-meal is meant to lower the cost of living for the vulnerable households as we look for a sustainable solution to the recurrent rising price of unga every election," he said.

While calling out a section of the political class and millers over the rise Unga prices in the run-up to every general election, Kenyatta suggested that the maize flour crisis was not a coincidence.

"If the politician gets his votes out of it and the miller gets their profit, what does the common mwananchi get?  And in the end, who carries the burden of this mischief? The common mwananchi, of course!"

"If my appeal to the millers is to practice a reasoned level of social ethics, my appeal to the political class is to exercise civic responsibility.  To politicize the pain of the vulnerable without offering solutions is to mock the lifestyle of the same voters the politicians are appealing to," he added.