Gov't lift levies on maize imports

The prices of maize flour is set to go down in the country this is after the government lifted levies it had imposed on maize imports.

Speaking in Namanga border in Kajiado, Agriculture CS Peter Munya, said the suspension of the levies will last for 90 days.

“This will take effect in the next two days once the same has been published and gazetted by the government," said Munya.

Munya attributed the sharp increase in the prices of maize flour to hoarding by some individuals and prominent farmers in the country .

“Maize, being the staple food in the country, the government is looking for ways and means of addressing the cost of maize which has affected negatively every home in the country,” said Munya.

“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. We do not expect any one of them to complain when the prices come down for the three months,” said Munya after meeting government officials stationed at different country's borders.

The new prices according to the CS will take effect from July 1st, and will remain so until the harvest season which starts in October.

“We have also authorised millers to import maize which is duty-free from the rest of the world for the next 90 days,” added Munya.

It's also a sigh of relief for farmers this is after the prices of animal feeds were also slashed after CS Munya ordered that  yellow maize be imported duty free.

“We want to assure the public that we are working day and night to bring down the prices of unga and animal feeds. We will assist local business people to import maize from abroad,” said Munya.