Raila Says Gov’t Must Lower Unga Prices to Sh100, Not Sh150

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga says President Ruto’s administration must lower the price of maize flour to Sh100 and not the planned Sh150.

On Friday, President Ruto announced that a two-kilogram packet of unga, which currently retails at Sh230, will go for Sh150 beginning this week following the arrival of imported maize.

“By next week, you will begin seeing new prices in maize. The price of unga will go down and we have to ensure that the maize we are importing from other countries does not affect our farmers because they are the ones we depend on here in our country. I am aware the cost of living has risen but on this, we had agreed that Kenyans must purchase maize flour at better prices,” Ruto noted.

But Odinga on Sunday said Sh150 is still high at a time when Kenyans are facing harsh economic times, adding that the price must be lowered to Sh100 for its effect to be felt.

 “We are saying that the cost of living remains high and that is why we are saying that the price of Unga must go down to Sh100 and not Sh150,” Odinga said during a public rally at Kamukunji grounds on Sunday.

Odinga, who was accompanied by top Azimio leaders including Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka, vowed to mobilize Kenyans to the streets if the government fails to bring the cost of Unga down to Sh100.

On Saturday, a ship carrying 48,000 tons of white maize ordered by various millers docked at the Port of Mombasa from Mozambique. A second shipment is expected to arrive next week.